Google Backs Same Language Subtitling (SLS) Project
An Indian project meant to strengthen reading skills among neo-literates in a cost-effective manner has found favour with the Google Foundation. "This is not just any corporation supporting the Same Language Subtitling (SLS) project. It's Google!" exclaimed Ahmedabad-based academic Brij Kothari.
The US-educated Kothari, who teaches at the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIM-A), has developed the SLS, an amazingly simple but effective way of spreading literacy.
Yet it could be critical to India that has only 562 million literates in a population of over one billion, according to the 2001 census. Surveys indicate half the 'literates' cannot read a newspaper.
The SLS method leverages the reach of TV and a "national passion for songs" of Hindi cinema as well as folk and devotional music.
