The Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) has unveiled Saarthi, a groundbreaking reference application designed to help businesses create their own customized buyer-side apps with advanced multilingual capabilities. This new tool aims to make digital commerce more inclusive by breaking down language barriers and enhancing accessibility across India.
Introducing Saarthi: Bridging Language Gaps in E-Commerce
Developed in collaboration with Bhashini, an AI-driven language-translation platform, Saarthi provides businesses with a comprehensive framework for integrating multilingual features into their buyer apps. The application is designed to seamlessly connect with the ONDC network, offering a robust solution for creating personalized and localized shopping experiences.
Initially, Saarthi supports five major Indian languages—Hindi, English, Marathi, Bangla, and Tamil. However, it is set to expand to encompass all 22 languages supported by Bhashini. This expansion ensures that businesses can cater to a diverse customer base, regardless of their linguistic background.
Key Features of Saarthi
Saarthi’s multilingual capabilities include real-time translation, transliteration, and voice recognition. These features enable businesses to reach new markets, enhance customer engagement, and increase acquisition rates. By offering an intuitive and localized user experience, Saarthi not only facilitates smoother transactions but also contributes to higher conversion rates and reduced support costs.
The application is designed with scalability in mind, ensuring that businesses of all sizes can integrate it into their existing systems with ease. This scalability makes Saarthi a versatile tool for companies looking to expand their digital footprint and improve their customer experience.
Leadership Insights
T. Koshy, Managing Director & CEO of ONDC, emphasized the significance of Saarthi in fostering a more inclusive digital commerce environment. He stated, “The launch of Saarthi represents a significant step towards democratizing e-commerce. By providing a reference application that enables businesses to build multilingual buyer apps, we are removing language barriers and unlocking new opportunities for engagement and growth. This initiative is aligned with our commitment to making e-commerce accessible to businesses of all sizes across India’s diverse linguistic landscape.”
Amitabh Nag, CEO of Bhashini, also highlighted the impact of the collaboration. “Partnering with ONDC on Saarthi demonstrates Bhashini’s commitment to overcoming language barriers in digital commerce. Our advanced language technology aims to make multilingual communication universal, extending beyond text and images. This collaboration not only enhances e-commerce accessibility but also sets a new standard for inclusivity in the digital marketplace.”
The Future of Multilingual Digital Commerce
The introduction of Saarthi is a noteworthy development in the evolution of digital commerce in India. By enabling businesses to offer multilingual support, the app helps address the diverse linguistic needs of the Indian population, paving the way for a more inclusive and accessible e-commerce ecosystem.
As businesses continue to adapt to the digital age, tools like Saarthi will play a crucial role in bridging gaps between different language communities and enhancing the overall shopping experience. With plans for further expansion and continuous improvement, Saarthi is poised to become an essential tool for businesses aiming to thrive in India’s vibrant and diverse market.
