India has unveiled Adi Vaani, the first-ever AI-based translator designed for tribal languages, now available in beta on Android and soon on iOS and web platforms. This pioneering tool enables real-time translation between Hindi/English and tribal languages like Santali (Odisha), Bhili (Madhya Pradesh), Mundari (Jharkhand), and Gondi (Chhattisgarh). Developed under the Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh initiative by IIT Delhi in partnership with BITS Pilani, IIIT Hyderabad, IIIT Naya Raipur, and Tribal Research Institutes from five states, Adi Vaani blends cutting-edge AI and community-led data collection to preserve and revitalize endangered tongues. 

Beyond translation, the app offers interactive learning modules, speech-to-text, text-to-speech, OCR for old manuscripts, bilingual dictionaries, and even subtitles for public messaging including health advisories and government schemes. By doing so, it bridges last-mile communication gaps and safeguards tribal folklore, oral traditions, and cultural heritage. 

Adi Vaani offers more than language access it’s a national mission for tribal empowerment, aligning with flagship programs like Digital India, Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat, and Gram Utkarsh initiatives. It embodies inclusive governance, cultural equity, and digital empowerment of tribal communities.