A historic initiative has been taken to connect Uttarakhand’s folk languages, Garhwali, Kumaoni, and Jaunsari, with artificial intelligence (AI). This will enable people in the US and Canada to learn these folk languages. The Language Data Collection Portal was launched in Seattle, USA, and Surrey-Vancouver, Canada, at a grand event organized by the Devbhoomi Uttarakhand Cultural Society, Canada, on Friday. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami described this initiative as a revolutionary effort to connect Uttarakhand’s cultural identity with the digital age. Through the Language Data Collection Portal, 1 million words, sentences, proverbs, and stories from Uttarakhand’s folk languages, Garhwali, Kumaoni, and Jaunsari, will be collected. This will enable people to learn and communicate in these languages through the AI platform. The portal was launched with a video message from Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. He congratulated the Uttarakhandi diaspora living in the United States and Canada for this initiative. He stated that as long as our language is alive, our culture is alive. He stated that the state government is committed to preserving and promoting its mother tongues and will fully support this initiative. Padmashree Pritam Bharatwan, who virtually joined the program from Karnaprayag, said that only when the language survives will culture survive. Calling this initiative historic, he pledged continued support from his Jagar and Dhol Sagar Academy. Sachchidanand Semwal, an AI architect in the United States, said that this is not just a technical project, but a mass movement to connect with our roots and keep them alive for generations to come. Bishan Khanduri, President of the Devbhoomi Uttarakhand Cultural Society, Canada, said that the Society is honored to host this historic launch. This initiative is an important step for all Uttarakhandi people living abroad. He added that AI-enabled language learning centers will be established in Canada and the United States. In these, migrant children will be able to learn Garhwali, Kumaoni and Jaunsari languages with the help of modern technology. These centres will be affiliated with Padmashree Pritam Bharatwan’s Jagar Academy. Society’s Vice President Shiv Singh Thakur, General Secretary Vipin Kukreti, Umed Kathayat, Jagdish Semwal, Girish Raturi, Ramesh Negi, Jeetram Raturi, Vinod Rautla, Mastudas, Shakti Prasad Bhatt, KS Chauhan from India, besides representatives of the Indian Embassy in Canada, AI experts, representatives of cultural organisations and a large number of migrant Uttarakhandi people joined the programme.
