Integrated into Kerala's educational system, Malayalam Wiki is eyeing the future
And, to cater to the needs of Malayalis who prefer to access information in their mother tongue, Malayalam Wikipedia stepped in with a thoughtful initiative: using its 'content translation' tool, the article on Pope Leo XIV was swiftly developed in Malayalam. And there were many takers, with the viewership rising manifold for the Malayalam edition.
'Wikipedia is the largest online encyclopaedia, and the most popular version is the English Wikipedia. However, it's now available in 345 languages. Besides Malayalam, we've editions in 20 Indian languages. More and more people are now searching in their local languages. The viewership for Malayalam Wikipedia has surged of late, especially after the election of the new Pope. This after we instantly translated the English Wikipedia content on Pope Leo XIV into 23 other global regional languages, including Malayalam. Similarly, when the Wayanad landslides happened last year, many people created articles on Malayalam Wikipedia and contributed images.' Santhosh Thottingal, principal software engineer (language engineering), Wikimedia Foundation, told TNIE.
The non-profit Wikimedia Foundation hosts Wikipedia- — the free online encyclopaedia created, edited, and verified by volunteers around the world — as well as many other vital community projects.
Santhosh said the regional language Wikipedia editions are as credible as the English version as entries are not merely 'machine-translated', but contributed by volunteers who thoroughly check their veracity and write in the taste of the local language viewers. So, what are the challenges ahead for regional language editions? 'Many people are unaware that Wikipedia info is available in Malayalam. That's our main challenge,' he said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Indian Express
14 hours ago
- New Indian Express
Telangana's jain gallery crumbles in silence as centuries-old heritage faces ruin
HYDERABAD: Once a quiet, revered corner in the Telangana State Museum at Public Gardens, Hyderabad, the Jain Gallery — home to one of the state's finest collections of Jain art and iconography — now lies in a state of disrepair and abandonment. Closed for over five years due to roof damage and water seepage, the once-celebrated gallery now faces permanent heritage loss as invasive roots from unchecked rooftop vegetation snake through its walls. The Jain gallery was established in 2004 under the initiative of senior archaeologists and historians to bring together rare Jain sculptures, inscriptions and artefacts scattered across Telangana — from Karimnagar, Warangal and Nalgonda to Adilabad and Khammam — into a single, curated space. The intent was noble: to aid research, heritage education, and religious pilgrimages. But despite its significance, today the gallery is closed to all visitors, its structural condition deemed unsafe even for staff. According to sources familiar with its history, the gallery is housed in a portion of the museum building originally constructed in 1924. Though repairs were undertaken in 2004, the ageing material — comprising lime mortar, iron girders, and brick — could not withstand the test of time. Water seeped through the ceiling, pooling on the floor, weakening the roof's structural integrity and prompting fears of collapse. 'Humidity and moisture have already begun to affect the stone surfaces of the sculptures,' a retired senior official told TNIE on condition of anonymity. 'Over time, this leads to fungal growth and surface weathering,' he added.
New Indian Express
16 hours ago
- New Indian Express
Villagers travel far for rations in TN's Kuruvilaikadu village, nearby outlet lies idle for two years
KANNIYAKUMARI: For the 150-odd families in Kuruvilaikadu village, it has been a Hobson's choice to spend up to Rs 200 towards autorickshaw fare every time they want to travel to a ration shop for purchasing essential commodities, as the outlet is located three kilometres away in Neervilagam, which has no bus connectivity. All the while, another ration shop constructed in the Adi Dravidar colony in the village two years ago has not been operational yet. Sources said the outlet in the village was constructed using the Colachel MLA local area development funds. The villagers have urged the authorities to at least run the ration shop in their village as a part-time outlet, functioning on two to three days a week. According to sources, daily-wage labourers form the majority of the villagers residing in Kuruvilaikadu — located in Valvachagostam town panchayat in Kanniyakumari district — and spending Rs 100-200 on travel to purchase ration shop items stretches their finances really thin. In July, VCK central district secretary S E Mesiya petitioned the collector, urging the authorities concerned to take steps to put to use the ration shop that was built during the financial year 2022-2023. However, till Saturday, the outlet has remained closed. Mesiya appealed to the authorities to keep the outlet functioning at least one day a week. R Ratha, a resident of Kuruvilaikadu, told TNIE that there was no bus facility to reach the fair price shop in Neervilagam, and she has been forced to take an autorickshaw by spending up to Rs 200 every month. She added that some of the residents travel to the fair price shop in Pulipanam. Another resident, T Usha, said her husband is a daily-wage labourer and her family depends on the ration shop items, especially rice. She said the outlet in Neervilagam is not within walking distance, and hence, a few women share an autorickshaw to reach the shop. We also spend a long time waiting in queues, she added. G Lasar, a 69-year-old daily wage labourer from the village, said it was troublesome to travel to a faraway fair price shop, citing the nature of his work. If the ration shop built near his house were operational, it would be of great help, he said. When contacted, officials from the Civil Supplies Department said there are nearly 150 ration cards in the Kuruvilaikadu area. They said heavy vehicles, transporting essential items to be distributed at the fair price shops, would face challenges in driving through the street where the outlet has been constructed. However, efforts are being made to run it as a part-time shop, they added.
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
Villagers clean Doyang dam reservoir of floating waste
1 2 Dimapur: In an effort to keep the Doyang dam reservoir in Wokha district pollution free and promote a healthier environment, the Doyang Land Owners Union, in collaboration with North Eastern Electric Power Corporation Ltd, took up a cleanliness drive at Doyang reservoir, removing a large quantity of plastic waste, floating waste, and logs. Neighbouring villages of the Doyang Hydro Electric Project (DHEP) and other bodies such as UBC Doyang, St Thomas Catholic church, Lotha Hoho Doyang, Esanphen village, Thillong village, Wondang village, and other concerned public, besides state police and central forces personnel, also took part in the initiative on Saturday. The DHEP, located in the Doyang river, is the only major river dam in Nagaland. John Zeliang, executive director and head of plant Doyang, who was present at the site, expressed his happiness that the Land Owners Union, churches and the public took the initiative to clean up the dam area. "We cannot solve the environmental issue by money or technology alone. It requires the will of the people and participation of every individual," he said. Stating that Doyang river gets a lot of floating debris coming from the catchment areas, he stressed that cleaning up Doyang reservoir alone will not work. "We have to do lifestyle changes in catchment areas to keep our areas, land, gardens and everything clean, especially those wastes which do not biodegrade," Zeliang added. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Could This NEW Collagen Blend Finally Reduce Your Cellulite? Vitauthority Learn More Undo Doyang Land Owners Union president Roland Ezung appealed to the Nagaland govt to pay special attention for the sustenance of the DHEP, saying this is the only biggest and functional hydro electric project in the state. On Aug 11, Wokha DC Vineet Kumar also announced to take up the second phase of Clean Doyang Mission. On June 7, 2024, the six-day first Clean Doyang Mission was initiated. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
