Sanjay Kashyap (left) and Wilson Khalkho display their software in Ranchi. Picture by Hardeep Singh

Ranchi, May 31: Ranchi youths Sanjay Kashyap and Wilson Khalkho wanted to contribute to the state?s development. And contribute they did with Sugga, a translating software package.

The programme is a boon for government officials who have to deal with local dialects. The software, named after the Sadri word for parrot, operates in English, Hindi Santhal, Ho, Kharia, Sadri, Mundari and Kudukh. All employees have to do is to type the word in and the translation appears on the screen.

?Everybody wanted to contribute something or the other for the development of the state. We too thought of doing something and since we were well versed with programming languages, this was the best idea that struck us. We worked many ideas but eventually the word translator was something that we agreed to work upon,? said 40-year-old Kashyap, a B.Sc graduate who runs a coaching institute in the city with Khalko.

Both Kashyap and Khalko, 25, are Microsoft Certified Software Engineers.

Since the software is easy to use, its creators feel that government officials can teach themselves how to use it. They have plans to approach the government for its patronage and advice. ?We would like departments to officially use our software and invite proposals from language experts on how to improve it,? said Khalko.

The biggest problem facing Sugga?s creators is the lack of a language database. The database of the local dialects, especially that of Santhali, Khadia, Kudukh, is not well developed.

They are trying to find linguists with experience in the dialects. ?There are professors from Ranchi University who can help us. We have also contacted the family of the late Dilbar Hans, the first Bishop of Church of North India, who has done good work in these dialects,? added Kashyap.

The present version of the software has a database of 3,500 words. It will have more than 40,000 words once complete. ?We are in the process of applying for a patent of the products and also have made efforts to prevent it from being pirated. We will soon launch the full version so that it benefits everyone,? said Kashyap.