A scientist for 15 years at India’s premier research institute and Indian-language computing proponent, Dr U B Pavanaja can be credited with many firsts to his name. First Kannada web-site, first Kannada online magazine, first Indian language (Kannada) web-site to receive Golden Web Award, first Indian language (Kannada) editor for Palm OS, first Indian language (Kannada) editor for WinCE device (HP Jornado 720), first Indian language version (Kannada) of universally popular Logo (programming language for children) software, etc. But his most notable achievement is in bringing computing to the common man by offering regional language solutions. Dr. Pavanaja moved from science to computing with an aim of developing specific Indic-language solutions, especially in the Kannada language (spoken by 33 million people, mainly in south India). Dr. Pavanaja has moved far from the days of using punch cards at Bhaba Atomic Research Centre, where he worked as a scientist, to creating Smart Tag for converting some English banking terms into Hindi. This application that he developed using VB.Net, won him the third prize in the All-India Smart Tag contest conducted by Microsoft India. He has attended and represented Indian languages in many Indian and International forums like Indic Font Workshop (Indic Computing Consortium, Bangalore, India), Unicode conference (Unicode Consortium, CA, USA), OpenType Font Seminar (Microsoft, Seattle, USA), etc.

Q. What does MVP mean to you?

Dr. Pavanaja: My title as MVP is an indicator of the pride that I have as someone who is involved in developing solutions that makes possible computing to be within the reach of common man, in their own language. Being an MVP also serves to increase the level of confidence that my customers have in me and my ability to assist them. It acknowledges that my activities in the communities are recognized as helpful to the people who are involved in Microsoft products and technologies

I have been a MVP for the last 2 years, this being my second term. Being a MVP has given me more exposure, to the latest Microsoft® products, which allows me to experience the most advanced technology one step ahead of anyone else. I have access to important Microsoft news, software pre-releases, and the technical Knowledge Base with a chance to meet people in Microsoft who can help me with my work.

Q. What’s the best thing that has happened since you’ve become a MVP?

Dr. Pavanaja: All of the benefits that the MVP Program provides are really great and that not only includes information about new and yet to be released software but also the chance to meet engineering teams who work at Microsoft headquarters. You get much of the latest information to keep you busy, as well as getting to meet top people in Microsoft and many other cool benefits. Also, a lot of recognition comes with the Microsoft MVP brand.

Q. Who are the people ideally suited for MVP?

Dr. Pavanaja: Being an expert in any technology does not mean that you can become MVP. To be a MVP you should be ready to share your knowledge with people. To be a MVP you should have a zeal for technology, not look for monetary gratification. This is an important distinction. A MVP can contribute to the community and help other people with the IT problems that they may face. Such people can create something that makes a difference. A lot of people in the development area for localization are from government sector but they are inactive online. So a big source of knowledge remains untapped for other user.

Q. What are the responsibilities associated with being MVP?

Dr. Pavanaja: A MVP should be ready to share his knowledge with others. I for example spend a lot of my time speaking about technology, discussing and explaining things, and connecting interested people. Also I provide lot of answers to questions in the public newsgroups and forums such as BhashaIndia to help others and it doesn’t even bother me when I have people ask the same questions again and again. My main concern is to share the learning with others and also the fascination of solving problems

Q. How does you perceive Indian Software Development scenario – specific to Local Language Initiative?

Dr. Pavanaja: The Indian technical expertise is now acknowledged the world over. But despite having such a vast pool of talent we have not been able to create a software product, which has been successful in the market. There have been some cases but they are few and far between. Now people have started taking interest in product development and with the advent of cheap computing we can look at software products being created that are based on local Indian languages

Q. Who is your hero?

Dr. Pavanaja: My heroes have kept changing since my childhood, but there is only one person whom I look upon – that is Dr. K Shivarama Karant, a Jnaanapeet awardee in Kannada. His contribution towards popularising science through Kannada is quite substantial and I got interested in science by reading his science encyclopaedia in Kannada.

Q. What does you think about initiatives like BhashaIndia?

Dr. Pavanaja: BhashaIndia is very good site and has lot of potential in increasing awareness about local language computing. This site has resources for both the common person, who is the end user, and the developers

Q. What kind of advice would you like to give to people who want to develop applications in local language

Dr. Pavanaja: The foremost thing that I would like them to keep in mind is the fact that localization does not mean translation. During the development process care needs to be taken that the language and terms are contextual and not just pure translation. Also a proficiency in the language you are developing is required.