Sindhi SMS & Multilingual Online Dictionary unveiled

Cross-posting from Tech Lahore

The University of Sindh at Hyderabad recently unveiled a number of interesting projects developed by its faculty and students. The projects were showcased at an exhibition inaugurated by Dr. Rabia Sheikh, the Pro Vice Chancellor of the University. Three of our favourites were:

1) A multilingual software dictionary that includes English, Urdu and Sindhi translations; this is a good addition to online tools that are relevant for millions of Pakistanis. We need more of them. We talked about street maps in a recent post, well, we need them all. Multilingual email, better Pakistan-centric VoIP services, multilingual dictionaries… bring ‘em on!!

2) Sindhi language SMS applications for mobile phones; this one is particularly important now that the mobile phone penetration has reached over 55 million users in Pakistan. Local language support will greatly enhance the usability and usefulness of technology.

3) Digital display boards with embedded GSM/GPRS control modules; this again shows how inexpensive technology can be used to solve what were previously pretty substantial problems. You can plop one of these billboards anywhere in the city and remotely manage the content it displays… without laying any physical wires or bothering to connect the system up to a copper phone line. [More...]

ScitechWire is an online S&T publication put out by the Pakistan Science and Engineering Foundation, also referred as PakSEF that is a non-profit 501(c)(3) California based organization -- http://paksef.org

Cyclone Relief: Appeal for donations

On June 23rd and 24th, 2007, coastal areas of Pakistan were hit by tropical cyclone Yemyin, packing winds of up to 80 miles per hour (130 kmph) roared over the Arabian Sea to the south of Karachi and hit the coast of the southwestern province of Baluchistan, dumping torrential rain over Balochistan and Sindh provinces. The torrential rains and flash floods have played havoc in these areas and numbers of casualties is rising day after day. Besides that flash floods and torrential rains in parts of NWFP had a devastating affect on the local population as well.

An estimated 1.2 million people across Sindh, Balochistan and NWFP have become homeless and have been badly affected. In Balochistan alone the toll of affected people has reached an estimated number of 0.8 million.

Worst Affected Kech (Turbat), Gawadar, Jhal Magasi,

Naseerabad/Jaffarabad, Sibi, Bola and Thatta

Badly Affected Kharan, Washik, Noshki, Khuzdar and Swat

Partially Affected Mustung, Dalbandin, Qila Abdullah and Kalat

There is a sever shortage of food, medicine, shelter. PakSEF encourages you to donate generously to one of the named organizations below. Or you may also donate to PakSEFs Relief Fund, funds will accordingly distribute the funds to one of the names charities.

SPO Pakistan, is operating in all the above mentioned districts through approximately 350 partner organizations and 16 Civil Society Networks (CSNs). Currently, SPO operations for relief are being managed through SPO field offices situated in Kech (Turbat), Naseerabad and Sibi, whereas, Hyderabad, Karachi, Quetta, Peshawar and Islamabad offices are undertaking planning, networking and coordination activities. (Donations can be made directly via bank draft, or you may also make a donation directly to PakSEF Cyclone campaign which is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization registered in the United States. PakSEF will accordingly forward the funds to SPO Pakistan.)

Hidaya Foundation, Hidaya’s response has been swift; from the strength of 50 Hidaya employees in Pakistan, 80% are involved in the relief effort. As of July 19: Over 249+ metric tons have been purchased and are being distributed costing approx. $240,000+.

Click to donate to the PakSEF Relief Campaign:

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