Latest news with #Indic
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Thore Network doubles down on multilingual AI with major investment in India tech infrastructure
As India strides confidently into the era of digital inclusion, one company has been quietly building the pipes for an AI-powered, multilingual future. Thore Network Pvt. Ltd., an 8-year-old pioneer in blockchain and digital assets, is now turning its attention toward Indic language AI infrastructure, investing in platforms that bridge India's rich linguistic diversity with modern technology. With over 1.4 billion citizens and hundreds of dialects, India presents a unique challenge—and opportunity—for artificial intelligence. While global players dominate English-centric models, India's next tech leap lies in what experts call ' Sovereign AI ': solutions trained on local data, dialects, and cultural context. Thore Network has announced three flagship initiatives that aim to contribute to this vision: Insights AI: A multilingual search and discovery platform designed for context-aware results in Indian A dialect-first language translation and communication app, built for daily vernacular ChatBot: A native-language chatbot assistant tailored to Indian service sectors and regional queries. While not explicitly a government project, these initiatives align closely with the Bhashini framework under India's digital language inclusion efforts. 'For us, Mailjol isn't just a product. It's a philosophy of interconnectedness — making sure no language is left behind in the digital age,' said Alok Kumar, Founder & CEO of Thore Network. Organizational Restructuring & Funding Commitment Thore Network recently underwent a significant organizational overhaul, restructuring as an equity-holding company with plans to open its cap table to private placement in Q1 2025. The firm has committed an initial $500,000 to its AI language verticals, and is reportedly in active discussions for grant support and private venture capital to further scale its initiatives. 'We believe this investment is not just strategic—it's cultural. There's a responsibility to build for Bharat, and we're taking that seriously,' added Kumar. In parallel, Thore Network is preparing for a pilot rollout of an AI-based road safety and emergency response system, starting with select states. The mobile platform will integrate real-time toll tracking, driver alerts, and voice-based assistance, especially for non-English users—marking another step in their vision for citizen-first AI. Vice Chairman and Whole-Time Director Prashant Kolhe, known for his role in over 100 successful IPOs, commented on the company's roadmap: 'Our balance sheet is clean, our tech is maturing, and we've shown product-market fit in crypto and now AI. If everything aligns, 2027 could be our listing year,' Kolhe noted. 'We didn't pivot — we evolved. AI is the next logical extension of our blockchain base. Language is infrastructure,' Alok Kumar, Founder & CEO – Thore Network said. 'Execution. Building the trust layer. And reaching the next 500 million users — not in English, but in Bhojpuri, Tamil, and Konkani. We're bootstrapped, profitable, and now opening up for like-minded investors who understand Bharat's tech future. Thore Network continues to build at the intersection of decentralized infrastructure and human-centric AI, staking its claim in India's next tech decade, " He added.
Fashion Network
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Fashion Network
Bindi 2025 Cultural Fashion Show brings desi fashion to Texas
A colourful tribute to Indian heritage took centre stage in Houston as the Bindi 2025 Cultural Fashion Show brought together Indian Americans in Texas for a runway event organised by World Bindi Day and held the ISKCON Temple in Texas. The fashion show featured traditional attire from all Indian states, modelled by members of the diaspora, the Press Trust of India reported. The evening combined fashion with classical and folk dance performances, storytelling, and regional cuisine, designed to offer attendees a multi-sensory experience of Indian culture. 'Our goal was to share the journey of the bindi- from sacred dot to cultural emblem- while honouring the legacy of Indian womanhood,' said Kusum Sharma, president of World Bindi Day, The Week reported. 'This event also supports causes close to our hearts- girls' education, youth leadership, and community empowerment.' World Bindi Day is a women-led nonprofit dedicated to promoting Indic traditions and community empowerment. Event coordinator Umang Mehta added, 'This was more than a fashion show- it was a heartfelt tribute to the India we carry within us.' Proceeds from the event will support World Bindi Day's educational and community upliftment programmes across the US.
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Celebrating Rani Ahilyabai Holkar gives us an opportunity to reclaim our history
The Indian Subcontinent has always been a land of flourishing science, arts, and culture. The foreign rule, however, reshaped our politics, epistemology and narratives. It colonised us to such an extent that we started undermining our own cultural traditions. This uncritical engagement with colonisers' knowledge system produced a sense of inferiority. Anything Indic was considered less significant. Against this backdrop, it is essential to critically look at our colonial past to restore the ancient civilisational wisdom and decolonise our consciousness. The British depicted our past as savage and uncivilised. Often, they questioned the status of women in our society without knowing our civilisational legacy of having women across spheres — goddesses, philosophers, rulers and extraordinary women leaders. Celebrating these women's courage, valour, and ethical wisdom is one of the ways to reclaim Indic epistemology — a step towards achieving Viksit Bharat. If women figures like Maitreyi and Lopamudra marked our history in the Vedic age, in medieval India, there were devotees like Mirabai, and in the British period, there were revolutionaries like Jhalkaribai, Uda Devi, and Rani Abbakka Chowta. Devi Ahilyabai Holkar was also one such icon. Her political consciousness, spiritual nationalism, sense of duty, service, and wisdom made her an icon. Born on May 31, 1725, in Chondi village of Maharashtra, Rani Holkar ruled Malwa territory (a major part of which is now in Madhya Pradesh) from 1767 to 1795. The Holkar dynasty under the Maratha Empire achieved its peak during her tenure. Rooted in the civilisational ethos of samajik samrasta — a philosophical vision that aims to foster an equitable and dignified society — her policies addressed disadvantaged groups, specifically the Bhils, Gonds, and Dalits. Her efforts to bring the marginalised to the mainstream were evident in the implementation of Bhilwadi taxes that brought Bhil and Gond tribes into the administrative fold. Holkar's unequivocal defence of rights of widows over their deceased husbands' properties was way ahead of its time. The transport routes in Malwa, along with various social and public infrastructure, like temples, dharamshalas, water tanks, bathing ghats and comparable facilities within the region and at distant sacred sites — including Varanasi, Dwarka and Rameshwaram — still testify to her excellence. These infrastructural developments helped bridge the distance between different territories and their people. Her leadership established Maheshwar as a prominent textile production hub, giving rise to the Maheshwari handloom industry. Her administration supported artisans with resources and training to improve their skills. She also implemented balanced trade practices, developed markets, and established quality standards. Nari shakti is one of the key concepts in Bharatiya darshan shastra (Indian philosophy). Rani Holkar showed how women could be both compassionate, nurturing, and, at the same time, strong and decisive. The strand of modern feminism that speaks of embracing femininity instead of conceiving masculine traits to be superior was a defining feature of her leadership. She was a feminist much before feminism was conceptualised in the West. Her spiritual nationalism was manifested in the reconsecration of several religious structures allegedly desecrated by foreign invaders. The works of social reformers Aurobindo Ghosh and Deendayal Upadhayay on spiritual nationalism and antyodaya (marginalised) echo the foundational ethos and culture of Bharat that Rani Holkar upheld throughout her life. The post-colonial idea of secularism represents the Western understanding. However, the separation of church and state — it mostly defines Western secularism — is an alien concept for our ancient civilisation. In India, the concept of religion has been so fluid that to confine it within a proto-theistical paradigm of the West would be anachronistic. For us, 'dharma' goes much beyond religion and manifests itself in duties, responsibilities and conduct. It is a concept that transcends the monotheistic limits of understanding. Our basic philosophical concept is not right-based; rather, it is duty-based. For Holkar, dharma was an important element to bring everyone together. Her notions of sewa, nyaya and dharma are also evident in the work of PM Narendra Modi, who upholds an inclusive cultural narrative: Sabka saath sabka vikas. Holkar's life, contribution, and philosophy need more engagement from our scholars, activists and common people. Only the knowledge of the past can help us understand the present and reclaim history. The writer is assistant professor of Sociology, Lakshmibai College, Delhi University
Economic Times
4 days ago
- General
- Economic Times
World in a word
Portuguese Nobel laureate in literature (1998) Jose Saramago held that words are like people - each one has its own character. This statement highlights the intricacy and uniqueness of words, drawing a fascinating parallel between them. Just as individuals possess distinct personalities, words also have word holds immense power, reflecting countless thoughts, emotions and experiences associated with it. Like people's aura, words carry weight and evoke different meanings. From gentle whisper of love to thunderous roar of anger, words can shape narratives, ignite imaginations and construct realities. Saramago's view serves as a reminder to cherish depth and diversity of languages, acknowledging its dynamic role in expressing our says, 'Kainaat ustavaar miz un lafz' - the universe is enshrined in a word. Thanks to the sacredness of every word, not just purity and piety of scriptural words, Indic thought systems believe that Akshar Brahmn is a divine reality. Hence, words must be weighed, measured and spoken with utmost care. Misuse and casual use of words may lead to an imbalance in relationships and create negative vibes. Yask's 'Nirukta', the world's first book on etymology , states that words weave us together. They can be used both as welders and flippant use of words can drive a wedge, they can also bridge gaps and gulfs. Ergo, treat every word as a character that can bring about change.
Time of India
22-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar calls for focus on alternative medicines
New Delhi: Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar called for focus on alternative medicine and for evidence-based validation of our ancient texts to make them accessible and applicable to contemporary challenges on Thursday, as per a release. Speaking at an event in Raj Bhavan, Goa, the Vice President said, "We are a nation with a difference.... We are rediscovering our roots, and we will get rooted in our roots. I strongly focus on alternative medicine because India is the home of alternative medicine. It is being practised now very extensively.... Let us not confine our ancient texts to libraries. They are not meant for the shelf of a library. They are meant to be widely disseminated. Let us bring timeless ideas to life through research, innovation, and reinterpretation using modern scientific tools. Let us pursue evidence-based validation, digitisation, translations, and cross-disciplinary studies to make these treasures accessible and applicable to contemporary challenges..... am extremely happy that the World Health Organisation has recognised it by establishing a global centre for traditional medicine in Jamnagar, Gujarat. What a powerful recognition of the universal relevance of our systems like Ayurveda ." "Time for us to look back in our Vedas, in our Upanishads, in our Puranas, in our history and time to tell our children from birth about our civilizational depth of knowledge", he added. Addressing the gathering after commissioning the statutes, Dhankhar stated, "We are celebrating today, those who epitomize knowledge -- Charak. Charak was a royal physician in Kushan Kingdom. Charak is known as father of medicine and Charak author Charak Samhita, it is a foundational text for Ayurveda. The other one, Sushrut, father of Surgery, then. I had to see what you had put in your paintings. Surgical instruments during those days, so forward looking and we must always remember. Sushrut was a disciple of Dhanvantari, another celebrated name. Let the lives and works of Charaka and Sushruta be a source of inspiration and motivation for all, particularly our impressionable minds." Reflecting on the need to take pride in our ancient knowledge, Dhankhar underscored, "I wish to also focus on, also highlight a particular cultural trait. It is our cultural trait. Within sections of our society, there is a belief. Anything Indic or ancient is regressive. This trait has no place in modern India. This trait has no place in our times. The world has realised our importance. Time for us also to realise it. We cannot afford a situation to believe West is modern and progressive. Look at the current scenario, and you will find it is far from it. India is the centre. The International Monetary Fund was not wrong and must have said with great difficulty, we are a centre of excellence. We are a hot spot of golden opportunities, an investment opportunity. That being the situation, let us believe in Indic situations. West is far behind us. In their mind, they are learning from us." Underlining the ancient civilizational knowledge, the Vice-President said, " The entire West will be stunned if we learn more about our treasure of knowledge.... Charaka, Sushruta, Dhanvantri, Jivaka, a renowned Ayurvedic physician, and he was Buddha's it comes to mathematics and astronomy, Aryabhatta, we have named our satellites after him, a great name, and during those times we had Bodhayan, a great mathematician, and we have Varahamihira.... He was there when Chandragupta Vikramaditya's court was was one of those. He was having an observatory at Ujjain during those times." "We are a unique before we came to be abreast of the modern surgical situations, 300 surgical procedures, plastic surgery, fracture management, and even caesarean delivery. Just imagine. We need to take great pride in it. Then, what we call super-speciality hospitals. The things they transact in medical science, we already have them. And it is not only that. They put it in writing for academicians. Sushruta's writings reflect not just merely anatomical knowledge, but a profound scientific spirit emphasising accuracy, training, hygiene and patient care", he added.
