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When it comes to expression,it has to be direct ‘Dil Se’. Then there should no barriers,no hitches and no trouble in understanding. Not in speech,reading or writing. And understanding this very basic fact are webmasters,who are bringing in Hindi versions of their websites. “While,the popularity of the online video sharing community is increasing drastically,a Hindi user interface has been much asked for,” says Vinay Goel of YouTube as he launches the Hindi version to make discovery,watching and sharing of originally created content easier for Indian language users. “This will enable users to browse through the website in Hindi and find the videos of their choice with just a click,” he says that YouTube’s Hindi user interface features a localized homepage and search functions,allowing users to create and share videos,discover the most popular and relevant videos,and connect with other Indian and global users. This,as a part of their commitment to promote the creation and consumption of content in Indian languages. While,YouTube in Hindi is supported by Google Translate which enables the translation of the navigation and menu between Hindi and English,via google.com/translate_t. “Data entry has been made simpler via the regular keyboard,where in you just need to type the word as it sounds. For instance,you can type “mera” using regular English characters,hit the space bar,and we at Google Labs India convert it to the corresponding Hindi word,” informs a google.com spokesperson,who feels that with only 13 per cent of the total literate Indian population being English literate,the translation’s much welcome.

With the Internet being used to to communicate with friends and family,to express our views and to search for information,“it’s now that I am comfortable using the web,” says Mahima Chaudhary,MA in Hindi,who earlier considered it as a domain of those fluent in English. Happy at the transition brought in by translation,the lady now uses it to amass information and to help her in her PhD.

While,there are other native languages that are finding ground on Net,the one language that we switch back and forth between languages in our daily lives is sure gaining momentum. “With yahoo coming up with in.jagran.yahoo.com for the Hindi user and msn with msn.webdunia.com/hindi/index.htm,the penetration of the language is quiet evident,” says Sandeep Sahi,a software engineer,who tells us that now many people are asking for personalized websites in the language. And proving it is the fact that there are Hindi versions for just about every purpose —while for the Indian food lovers,nishamadhulika.com,vayanjan.com and tarakash.com/rasoi offers umpteen desi recipes,for those seeking employment news,the website of ‘Rojgar Samachar’ rojgarsamachar.gov.in caters to the needs of job seekers from Hindi speaking areas of the country. This one,a unit of the Directorate of Publications Division,Ministry of Information and Broadcasting,“the website has been developed on popular demand from job seekers from Hindi speaking areas of the country,” says Director General Ghanshyam Goel. Go on,express your views,find information and create content on the now multi-lingual portals.