1. Text-to-Speech in Indian languages
Text-to-Speech (TTS) is computer software which renders the machine readable text into Human Voice. The TTS software allows people with visual impairments or reading disabilities to listen to written works on a computer or a mobile device. Text to Speech system when integrated with screen reader would enable visually challenged users to interpret and perform computer operations with audio interface. Thus TTS system integrated with screen reader would be a potential assistive technology which will help visually challenged section and learning disabled section of the society to use the benefits of ICT and knowledge sharing. Under the consortium Mode project with leadership from IIT Madras, funded by TDIL Programme , Dept of Information Technology , Text to Speech for 11 Indian Languages namely Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu , Malayalam , Gujarati , Odia , Assamemse ,Manipuri & Kannada have been developed using the both Open Source FESTIVOX Framework and State-of-the art HTS based engine.

2. TTS Quality
Text to speech synthesis in the unit selection (Festivox) and statistical frameworks (HTS) have been successfully developed for 11 Indian languages (Hindi, Marathi, Bengali , Assamese, Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam, Kannada, Odia, Rajasthani, Manipuri) The development TTS for Kannada and Bodo languages work is in progress.

3. Applications development for TTS

3.1 TTS integrated with Screen Reader for Visually Challenged persons

i. Effort is underway to improve the voice quality for ORCA and NVDA Screen readers in 13 Indian Languages as well as Bi-lingual facility (Indian Accent English)

ii. Localization of Open Source product like Flex talk

iii. Integration of Braille reader with OCR and TTS (Hindi , Malayalam already done)

3.2 Browser Plug-in
Text to Speech systems as a browser plug-in for Mozila and Chrome Browser for eight Indian Languages namely Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Odia and Gujarati languages have been developed and made available through TDIL Data centre http://www.tdil-dc.in for feedback and improvement. The MOS Score is >3.5 (which is comparable to International Standard) for Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, languages. 6 More languages Odia, Gujarati , Manipuri , Assamese , Bodo and Rajasthani (A dialect of Hindi) is under development and is expected to reach MoS score ~ 3.5 by Next six months time. The TTS facility has pitch and rate control features. The system is available for both HTS based (low foot-print) as well as USS (High quality sound)

3.3    SMS Reader in Indian Languages
SMS Reader on Android Platform for 5 Indian Languages namely Hindi, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu and Gujarati have been developed and made available through E-Gov Mobile Seva Gateway (http://mgov.gov.in)

4. Technology Handshake
MOU has been signed with OS Labs India Pvt Ltd for integration of the TTS in 9 Indian languages in Android based Regional Operating System First Touch so that the same may be available in Mobile / Wireless devices below Rs. 10,000. This will enable TTS to proliferate in Mobile devices in Indian languages and citizens would be able access information through voice interface on mobile. The MOU has been handed over to OS Labs India Ltd by Hon’ble Minister for Communication and Information Technology at function on Good Governance Day 28 Dec , 2015.