New gadgets for corporators language troubles

HYDERABAD: The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation has given nod to the installation of Simultaneous Interpretation System, a device to convert languages from Telugu to Urdu and vice-versa in the council hall, similar to the ones used in the state Legislative Assembly.However, the system to be installed in the GHMC will be wireless whereas the one in the Assembly is a wired system.The total cost of the SIS devices is estimated at Rs 1.09 crore.The move comes in wake of the fact that the mayor Mohd.Majid Hussain and many other coporators are well versed in Urdu and English but do not understand Telugu.Similarly many Congress, TDP and BJP leaders know Telugu but do not understand either Urdu, English or Hindi.To overcome the language problems, the mayor directed officials to install the language conversion hearing device for all council members.Speaking to Express, GHMC officials said the standing committee has approved the proposal to install wired or wireless SIS for voice conversion from Telugu to Urdu and viceversa.The civic body has identified M/s Atluri & Co which provides DCN system for language interpretation and have installed these systems in the Assembly, National Institute of Rural Development and the Police Academy.Atluri officials will give the demo of the system in a week’s time, officials said.The corporation has ruled out SIS with cables as it would force the GHMC to take up works which may cost another `20 lakh.Further, the wireless system will be easier to move if the council hall is shifted to the proposed building on Lower Tank Bund Road.