In a historic step toward digital inclusion, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs has launched the Beta version of Adi Vaani, India’s first AI-powered translator for tribal languages. The initiative aims to preserve endangered dialects while empowering tribal communities with access to education, governance, and public services.
Preserving Tribal Heritage
India has 461 tribal languages and 71 mother tongues, many of which are vulnerable or critically endangered. Adi Vaani provides a digital platform to document, translate, and teach these languages, ensuring their survival for future generations.
How It Works
Developed by a consortium led by IIT Delhi with BITS Pilani, IIIT Hyderabad, IIIT Nava Raipur, and Tribal Research Institutes, Adi Vaani uses AI models like IndicTrans2 and NLLB. The toolkit includes:
- Text-to-text & speech-to-speech translation
- OCR for manuscripts
- Bilingual dictionaries & cultural repositories
- Subtitled content for public services
Languages Covered
In its Beta phase, Adi Vaani supports Santali, Bhili, Mundari, and Gondi, with Kui and Garo under development.
Empowering Communities
Built with active input from tribal communities, the platform helps in:
- Education and digital literacy
- Healthcare communication
- Government scheme awareness
- Civic inclusion
Towards Inclusive India
Adi Vaani aligns with Digital India and Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat, showcasing how AI can strengthen cultural equity. It marks a new chapter in safeguarding India’s linguistic diversity while empowering marginalized voices.
