Software pros asked to adopt uniform code

Chennai, Feb 7: Software professionals who have developed software in Tamil should adopt a uniform code and not let differences of opinio...

Chennai, Feb 7: Software professionals who have developed software in Tamil should adopt a uniform code and not let differences of opinion come in the way of standardising the use of Tamil in Internet, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi said today.

8220;I believe that all of you have the scientific temper of give and take. It may be difficult for you to give up the technology you have developed but our language should not lag behind in the rapidly changing information technology,8221; he said, delivering the keynote address at a conference on the use of Tamil in IT organised by the State. The information revolution was spreading like wildfire and today8217;s discovery would become stale next month. 8220;The developments are taking place like lightning,8221; the Chief Minister said.

He assured the gathering of software experts representing companies from all over the world that the state government would procure only that software which was approved at the conference. He expressed the hope that Malaysia, Singapore,Sri Lanka and Mauritius, countries in which Tamil was one of the official languages, would follow suit.

He said the state was computerising all the Government departments in a phased manner. Standardisation of the Tamil keyboard lay-out and coding of Tamil scripts are some of the major issues which will be thrashed out at the symposium. Various problems facing Tamil software and website developers, multi-media content developers and end-users will also be taken up for discussion, he said.

Speaking on the occasion, Tamil Nadu Governor Fathima Beevi said the state government was willing to take advantage of the competitiveness of the private sector in information industry and its contribution to the development of software in Tamil language and the creation of websites carrying information on Tamil language and literature.

8220;But all these products lack uniform standards and global organisation,8221; she said, adding, that since Internet has become a daily affair in individual life the world over, it isabsolutely necessary to have a Tamilnet with uniform codes which will harmonise promotional efforts from various quarters in future. The most significant achievement will be the ability of Tamilnet to bring the large rural population in the state into the fold of the Internet, she added.

Malaysian Public Works Minister Dato S Samivelu said Tamil was one of the oldest, classical languages in the world and should be made as one of the internationally acceptable languages. 8220;Tamil is the oldest language and it has not been utilised properly,8221; he said, adding that some bold initiatives had to be taken in this area. He said the software unanimously accepted at the seminar would be accepted by his country as well. Urging the State to create a new digital economy, he said it should think seriously about creating an 8220;electronic8221; Government and bring efficiency in daily administration. Tamilnet8217; should compete for the future.

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Sri Lankan Minister for Livestock Development and Estate Infrastructure S Thondamansaid there was need for closely linking the Tamils all over the world through the medium of Tamil language. Communication technology has brought them together. But what has been achieved so far touches the fringe, he said, adding that the possibilities that remain to be exploited are immense.

While adapting Tamil, changes in the script or alphabet may appear mild in a short time span. But the changes cumulatively make a fair difference in the long term, he said.