Vernacular Innovation Program (VIP): Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog launches Vernacular Innovation Program (VIP) to Empower Innovators, Entrepreneurs in 22 Mother Tongues

What is the News?

Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog has launched the first of its kind Vernacular Innovation Program(VIP).

What is the Vernacular Innovation Program(VIP)?

Aim: To enable innovators and entrepreneurs in India to have access to the innovation ecosystem in 22 scheduled languages by the Government of India.

Under the programme, AIM will be training a Vernacular Task Force (VTF) in each of the 22 scheduled languages with each task force consisting of vernacular language teachers, subject experts and technical writers. 

Further, the AIM will also launch a train-the-trainer program where it will collaborate with the design department of IIT Delhi to coach the VTF in design thinking and entrepreneurship and the adaptation of these subjects in the 22 languages and cultures. 

After the training of the task force gets completed by April 2022, the ecosystem will be opened to vernacular innovators.  

Why was the Vernacular Innovation Program launched?

According to the 2011 census, only 10.4% of Indians speak English, most as their second, third, or fourth language. Only 0.02% of Indians spoke English as their first language. 

Hence, India needs to create equal opportunity for the vernacular innovators who represent around 90% of our population.

What is the significance of the Vernacular Innovation Program?

Firstly, the program will help lower the language barrier in the field of innovation and entrepreneurship and empower innovators in the farthest areas of the country.

Secondly, it will help to seamlessly assimilate the knowledge cum technical materials that AIM will develop.

Thirdly, India may be the first nation in the world to launch such an initiative where an innovation ecosystem catering to 22 languages plus English is being built.

Source:This post is based on the article ‘Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog launches Vernacular Innovation Program (VIP) to Empower Innovators, Entrepreneurs in 22 Mother Tongues’ published in PIB on 22nd Dec 2021.