Microsoft Corporation India Pvt. Ltd announced the availability of Windows 7 Hindi Language Interface Pack (LIP). With this launch, a wider audience base will have access to Windows 7 in their native language. The Hindi LIP can be installed on any PC running Windows 7 in English and provides all the features available in that version, thus providing the same experience. "Hindi ranks second amongst the most widely understood languages of the world, with an estimated 800 million people understanding and 480 million speaking it. The avai lability of the Hindi interface is in line with our commitment of providing greater access to technology and delivers on the promise of Windows 7 simpler, smarter and more secure," said Rajiv Popli, Director, Windows Client, Consumer and Online Business, Microsoft India.

Windows 7 has been designed to make it easier for customers to do the things they want on a PC through a streamlined user interface and several new features that make everyday tasks faster. With features such as a redesigned Windows Taskbar, Aero Shake, Peek, Snap, Jump Lists, multi touch, and Remote Media Streaming, the operating system makes consumers' technology experiences more exciting and fun. Windows 7 is available in six editions, namely-Windows® 7 Starter, Windows 7 Home Basic (in Emerging Markets only), Windows 7 Home Premium, Windows 7 Professional, Windows 7 Enterprise and Windows 7 Ultimate.

The availability of the Hindi LIP is part of Microsoft's ongoing efforts towards overcoming the language barrier to computing. Earlier this year, the company had announced a spate of technologies in Indian languages, including 12 LIPs for Office; availability of Windows Live applications including e-mail, Instant Messenger, personal home page and more, in seven Indian languages and the Captions Language Interface Pack (or CLIP) for Hindi, Malayalam, Oriya, and Tamil.

Microsoft has been working on language computing in India since 1998, since the first India visit of Microsoft Chainnan Bill Gates. The idea was to usher in the IT revolution in the country in a phased manner - and localisation was identified as the key catalyst for effecting this development. In 2003, Microsoft India launched Project Bhasha, a cohesive effort to bring together Governments, the academia and research institutions, the local ISVs and developers and the industry associations on a common ground for promoting local language usage in IT.