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BOLKAR APP- A DIGITAL HOME FOR NON- ENGLISH SPEAKERS

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BOLKAR APP- A DIGITAL HOME FOR NON- ENGLISH SPEAKERS

 

Millions of Indian internet users and a greater percentage of those are non-English speakers. Can anything be done for them? Yes, a lot can be done and has been done by 4 young, Indian creators.

WHO ARE THESE 4 PEOPLE AND WHAT HAVE THEY DONE FOR NON-ENGLISH SPEAKERS?

In January 2019, four Indian individuals: Prince Tripathi, with Dhruv Kaushal, Saurabh Rai, and Abhishek Tripathi laid  the foundation of Bolkar app– a digital home for Indians who do not speak or understand the English language.

What is the app all about?

The word ‘Bolkar’ is a Hindi word that means ‘by speaking.’ As the name means, the app works on a voice basis. Everything on the app can be done using voice. It is a type-less platform. It enables the users to interact on the platform in Indian languages (Currently in Hindi and Bengali).

WHAT IS THE REASON BEHIND THIS INNOVATIVE INITIATIVE?

The founder of Bolkar- Prince Tripathi’s concern was about those million Indian people who are not able to speak or understand English. He reflected on the needs and preferences of such people and thought to take an initiative for them. He decided to innovate a digital home for them to be able to get the benefits of the internet world and have their own space.

Keeping the language concern in mind, the app is built on a voice basis. Since the language barrier also causes problems when it comes to typing. So, the app works in a way where users and speak in their local language. Currently, the platform works in Hindi and Bengali but with the growth of vernacular platforms, we might see Bolkar operating in other Indian languages too in near future.

 

 

BOLKAR APP’S WORKING STRATEGY

The app allows users to ask questions in their voice and give answers. It is designed to keep the tier 2 and tier 3 towns’ people in main concern. These people have various queries in mind and so Tripathi decided to give them space where their questions are heard, where their voice is valued, their opinions are listened to, and they get guidance and assistance on various categories.

USERS TURN INTO GREAT SPEAKERS

On the app, the users who answer questions are called speakers. The engagement on their answers is checked ,based on which they are classified on levels. The speakers who contribute their voice a lot for the app and get good engagement and followers are grouped in the top-level speakers on the app. The speakers are given the freedom provided they keep the app safe from misleading and inappropriate content.

It is a great place for people from various regions to enhance their communication skills. Bolkar aims at providing users the freedom to unleash their voice and be of genuine help to fellow users by answering their questions and guiding them.

FREEDOM OF VOICE

Bolkar is a platform where users do not just involve themselves in asking questions or giving answers. It is also an opinion-based platform. The idea is to allow a space where every opinion is welcome and conflicts do not arise. It is important to have healthy discussions.

PAVING ROADS FOR CONTENT MODERATION

Bolkar is paving roads for having subject matter experts (SME’S) and to have content moderators so there is the least possibility of unhealthy or inappropriate content wavering around. The platform is all about sharing guidance with others so the plans are to have content moderators who check out for any misleading stuff.

CURRENT ACHIEVEMENTS OF BOLKAR AND MORE TO COME

In less than a year, Bolkar is a community of over 100k+ users. So far, 700k+ questions have been asked on the platform. The number of users and questions are rising and it’s all because of the content it has to offer.

 

The efforts of the Bolkar team behind the initiative have been appreciated by the Google Play Store, as it has been awarded the best app for personal growth. Other than that it has been given recognition in popular newspapers like Dainik Bhaskar and Navbharat Times.

The platform is becoming a comfortable community where every voice is valued. It is all set to grow in the direction of the growth of every non-English speaker. It is aimed at having content that is all about the growth of its users.

Written by~

Simmi Bhatnagar