About Saarthi App launched by ONDC: UPSC Current Affairs

Description

SAARTHI

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Picture Courtesy: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/technology/internet/ondc-launches-saarthi-reference-app-for-businesses-to-create-multilingual-buyer-apps/article68629225.ece

Context:

The Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) has launched the Saarthi App.

About the Saarthi App

The Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) has developed Saarthi App in collaboration with the Bhashini to allow firms to develop buyer-side apps with multilingual support.
It currently supports five languages: Hindi, English, Marathi, Bengali, and Tamil.
- - The future objective is to add support for all 22 languages Bhashini supports to ensure complete linguistic coverage throughout India.
It offers real-time translation to allow businesses to serve customers in several locations without needing separate app versions.
It integrates voice recognition technology to allow users to interact with the app in their native languages.

Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC)

●The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has created the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) to promote open e-commerce.

●It was established in December 2021 with an initial investment from the Quality Council of India and Protean eGov Technologies Limited.

About Bhashini

The Prime Minister launched Bhashini in July 2022 to offer language technology solutions as digital public goods via the Bhashini platform.
Bhashini is India's Artificial Intelligence (AI) powered language translation platform.
It aims to bridge language barriers in digital areas by making the internet and digital services available in multiple Indian languages.
Key Objectives:
- - Make digital content and services accessible in all Indian languages.
  - Create advanced language technologies such as speech recognition, machine translation, and text-to-speech systems for Indian languages.
  - To provide citizens with digital tools and materials in their local language.
It offers AI and Natural Language Processing (NLP) tools to MSMEs, startups, and individual innovators to build and deliver services in many languages.
Key Components:
- - Creation of large-scale linguistic resources, including dictionaries, corpora, and databases.
  - Development of fundamental technologies for Indian languages, including Natural Language Processing (NLP), Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR), and Optical Character Recognition (OCR).
  - Development of programs and services that use these technologies to provide multilingual support in various fields, including education, healthcare, and government.
It covers all 22 officially recognised Indian languages to meet diverse linguistic needs.

Must Read Articles:

BHASHINI

BASICS OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

Source:

THE HINDU

Wikipedia

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.Which of the following is the main objective of the recently launched Saarthi app?

A) Provide a platform for selling e-commerce products directly to customers.

B) Offer a platform for peer-to-peer financing.

C) Promote financial literacy and investor education.

D) Enable firms to develop their multilingual buyer-side apps.

Answer: D

Explanation:

The Saarthi app is a reference tool that enables firms to design their customised buyer apps with multilingual features. These features include real-time translation, transliteration, and speech recognition capabilities to increase digital commerce accessibility and diversity.