The meet, being organised by Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) will attempt to bring together all SAARC countries to discuss the use of multilingual computing technology for the mutual development.

Speaking to the media persons today RK Arora, executive director of C-DAC said that the meeting will serve as a common platform for the SAARC nations to exchange and share the knowledge on common areas of interest like culture, heritage, science and technology.

He said that the conference will also discuss the proposal to set up the National Centre for SAARC Information Technology (NCSIT) to deal with multilingual informatics computing as a future course of action.

He observed that amibitious proposal to telecast programmes over the entire SAARC region will also be taken up for discussion. ``As the C-DAC has the required expertise inthis field, multilingual TV programmes can be telecast using INSAT network, he added.

Some of the major issues which will be discussed during the meet include establishment of Language Technology Development Centres in the respective SAARC countries, computer training bureau in local languages through regional and local co-ordinators in the respective SAARC countries and training centres for content creation, video subtitling and dubbing and CD publishing in SAARC countries.

Besides this, said Arora, the issue of spread and promotion of language technologies and products in SAARC countries will also deliberated upon during the four day conference, in which more than 50 participants from the SAARC countries are expected to take part.

Replying to question Arora said that the conference will not necessarily confine itself to mere exchange of knowledge and ideas but will also offer opportunities to the participating nations to find markets among each other.

The conference will be attended by variousMinistries and government departments. All the major IT institutions, organisations, associations from India and abroad will participate. Research and development organisation related to language technology product development, people from IT media will also take part in the meet.

The event will feature 12 different sessions starting from September 2 on diversified subjects related to multilingual and multimedia technology. Besides this panel discussions, exhibition and launching of new multilingual products and solutions will form other features of the conference.

Ravindra Gupta, Secretary, Department of Electronics (DoE) will be the chief guest at the inaugural function of the meet, hosted by Ministry of External Affairs. Prof VS Ramamurthy, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology (DST) will deliver the key note address. Meera Shankar, Joint Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs will be also present for the inaugural function.

The meet is being organised with support from DST, DoE, NationalInformatics Centre, Videsh Sanchar Nigam Limited and several other organisations.