'India will take 3-5 years to develop software in local language'

India will take 3-5 years to develop software in local languages for mass communication and applications despite growth in internet penetration, an official said. N. Sivasailam, additional secretary, department of telecommunications, ministry of communications and IT, also hoped that in spite of the size of India and its intricacies, sufficient and skillful entrepreneurship would emerge to undertake the job of software development in multiple local languages. He was speaking on the occasion of World Telecommunication Day – ‘ICT Entrepreneurship for Social Impact’ under the aegis of the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The official also pointed out that application of IT and telecommunication services in the country’s education and health sector also needed drastic improvement and with the help of industry, the government would make it visible and more pronounced. Savitur Prasad, principal integrated financial advisor, ministry of defence, remarked that the country needed work at war footing to give results for the Make In India project and with a faster pace shed its dependence on equipment imported from abroad. Among others who spoke on the occasion were Gopal Jiwarajka, senior vice president, PHD Chamber, Anil Khaitan, vice president, PHD Chamber, Rakesh Gupta, chairman, entertainment and media committee of the Chamber, and Sandeep Agarwal, chairman (north) telecom equipment and services export promotion council. IANS