Bhashini transforming Maha Kumbh 2025

Team L&M

The Maha Kumbh, a massive gathering of pilgrims held every 12 years, represents the pinnacle of India’s cultural and spiritual traditions. The 2025 edition, hosted in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, is attracting millions of people from diverse linguistic backgrounds. Amidst this diversity, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) is leveraging BHASHINI, a revolutionary initiative under the Digital India program, to ensure seamless communication and accessibility for all participants. By providing multilingual access in 11 Indian languages, BHASHINI is set to transform the way information is shared and consumed at this iconic event.

BHASHINI, or the BHASHa INterface for India, is a pathbreaking initiative aimed at democratizing access to digital content and services across India’s linguistic spectrum. It aligns with the objectives of the Digital India program by fostering inclusivity and accessibility. As a National Language Translation Mission (NLTM), BHASHINI uses cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) and natural language processing (NLP) technologies to bridge the language divide, enabling users to access content and services in their preferred language. BHASHINI (Translation Mission) is implemented by Digital India BHASHINI Division, a division under Digital India Corporation, a Section 8 Company of Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.

How BHASHINI is Transforming Maha Kumbh 2025
The Maha Kumbh presents unique logistical and communication challenges due to the scale and linguistic diversity of attendees. BHASHINI addresses these challenges through its advanced multilingual capabilities:

1. Real-Time Information Dissemination: BHASHINI facilitates translation of announcements, event schedules, and safety guidelines into 11 Indian languages. This ensures that pilgrims, regardless of their native tongue, can access crucial information during the event.
2. Simplified Navigation: Language barriers often complicate navigation in large gatherings. BHASHINI’s speech-to-text and text-to-speech tools and multi-lingual chatbot, integrated with mobile applications and kiosks, guide pilgrims in their preferred language, enhancing their experience.
3. Accessible Emergency Services: Multilingual access to helplines and emergency services ensures that attendees can seek assistance effectively, fostering a safer environment. In collaboration with the UP Police, Bhashini’s CONVERSE feature supports communication with the 112-emergency helpline, with officers trained to assist devotees in overcoming language challenges.
4. Enabling E-Governance: With BHASHINI’s support, authorities can communicate regulations, guidelines, and public service announcements to a diverse audience, ensuring smooth coordination.
5. Lost and Found: Bhashini’s ‘Digital Lost & Found Solution’ is a key feature, enabling visitors to register lost or found items using voice inputs in their native languages, with real-time text and voice translations simplifying interactions.

Kumbh Sah’AI’yak CHATBOT

Launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Kumbh Sah’AI’yak is an AI-powered, multilingual, voice-enabled chatbot designed to assist millions of visitors during Maha Kumbh 2025. The bot is powered by cutting-edge AI technologies (such as Llama LLM). Kumbh Sah’AI’yak aims to redefine pilgrim assistance by addressing their information and navigation needs while creating enduring memories of the Maha Kumbh 2025 experience. The Kumbh Sah’AI’yak chatbot is created to enhance the visitor experience by providing seamless, real-time information and navigation assistance to all. BHASHINI’s language translation supports the chatbot in 11 languages, including Hindi, English & 9 other Indian languages.