In the contemporary digital age, mobile apps have evolved into powerful, omnipresent tools. They have become the primary gateway for people to access a wide array of information and services, from shopping and entertainment to banking and financial management. For the visually impaired, who often face significant barriers in accessing traditional financial services due to their visual limitations, mobile apps, if designed inclusively, can be a game – changer. They have the potential to level the playing field, enabling the visually impaired to independently manage their finances, check account balances, transfer funds, and access important financial information.
The Need for an App for the Visually Impaired
Visually impaired individuals face unique challenges in daily life, especially when it comes to handling financial matters. Identifying currency notes accurately is one such challenge. In India, with a large population of visually impaired people, estimated to be around 80 lakh, having a reliable way to distinguish between different denominations of currency notes is essential. Before the advent of a dedicated solution, they had to rely on tactile features like intaglio printing present on notes of Rs 100 and above. However, this was not always foolproof, especially for newly introduced banknotes or in situations where the tactile features were worn out.
RBI’s Initiative: The MANI App
Announcement and Development
In June 2018, the RBI declared its intention to explore the feasibility of developing a suitable device or mechanism to aid the visually impaired in identifying Indian banknotes. Subsequently, it solicited bids from technology firms for developing a mobile application. After a period of development, the result was the “MANI” app.
What is MANI?
MANI stands for “Mobile Aided Note Identifier.” Launched by RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das in 2020, this app is a free – to – download application available on both the Android Play Store and the iOS App Store. It is designed to assist visually challenged persons in identifying the denomination of currency notes.
Features of the MANI App
Note Identification: The app can identify the denominations of Mahatma Gandhi series and Mahatma Gandhi (new) series banknotes. It has the ability to check either the front or reverse side of the note, including half – folded notes, at various holding angles and in a broad range of light conditions, be it normal light, daylight, or low light.
It uses the camera of the mobile phone to scan the currency note. Once the note is scanned, the app processes the image and can determine the denomination within 2 seconds or less.
Multi – Lingual and Audio Support: It provides multi – lingual support. At a minimum, it supports Hindi and English languages. The app gives audio output in these languages, announcing the denomination of the currency note. This is extremely useful as it allows users who are more comfortable with either of these languages to understand the result clearly.
In addition to audio, it also has a non – sonic mode such as vibration, which is suitable for those with both vision and hearing impairment.
Offline Functionality: One of the most convenient features of the MANI app is that it can work offline. Once installed on the mobile device, users do not need an internet connection to use it. This is a significant advantage as it ensures that the app can be used in areas with poor or no network connectivity.
Voice – Controlled Navigation: Wherever the underlying device and operating system combination supports voice – enabled controls, the app can be navigated via voice controls. This makes it easier for visually impaired users to access the application features without having to rely on visual cues.
Limitations of the MANI App
It’s important to note that the MANI app does not authenticate a note as either genuine or counterfeit. Its sole purpose is to help visually impaired people identify the denomination of the currency note.
How to Use the MANI App
Downloading the App: For Android users, open the Google Play Store on your device. In the search bar, type “MANI – Mobile Aided Note Identifier.” Once the app appears in the search results, click on the “Install” button.
iOS users need to open the App Store. Search for “MANI” in the search tab. After finding the app, tap on “Get” to download and install it.
Using the App to Identify Currency Notes: Open the MANI app on your mobile device.
Ensure that the camera of your phone is clean. Place the currency note in front of the camera or scroll it across the camera lens. Make sure the note is well – lit, but the app is designed to work in various lighting conditions.
The app will process the image of the note. Within a short time, usually 2 seconds or less, it will announce the denomination of the currency note in the selected language (Hindi or English) through the device’s speaker. If you have enabled the vibration mode, the device will also vibrate to indicate the denomination.
Significance of the MANI App
Enhanced Financial Inclusion: The MANI app has significantly enhanced financial inclusion for the visually impaired community in India. It has given them a more independent way to handle financial transactions. For example, when making a purchase, they can now accurately identify the currency note they are about to use, ensuring they are not short – changed or make mistakes in transactions.
Empowerment: By providing this tool, the RBI has empowered the visually impaired. It has given them greater control over their financial lives, which in turn boosts their confidence and self – reliance. They no longer have to solely depend on others to identify currency notes for them.
Social Impact: It has a positive social impact as it promotes a more inclusive society. It shows that the financial sector is taking steps to accommodate the needs of all its citizens, regardless of their physical abilities. This can inspire other sectors to follow suit and develop more accessible products and services.
Other RBI Efforts for the Visually Impaired
In addition to the MANI app, the RBI has also incorporated certain features in the currency notes themselves to aid the visually impaired. For instance, intaglio printing is used on notes of Rs 100 and above. Intaglio printing creates raised patterns on the notes that can be felt by touch. This, along with other features like variable banknote size, large numerals, variable colour, monochromatic hues, and patterns, was an initial step towards making currency notes more accessible to the visually impaired. However, as mentioned earlier, these features had limitations, which led to the development of the MANI app for more accurate and convenient identification.
Conclusion
The RBI’s introduction of the MANI app is a remarkable step towards ensuring financial inclusivity for visually impaired people in India. The app, with its easy – to – use features such as note identification in various conditions, multi – lingual audio support, offline functionality, and voice – controlled navigation, has made a significant difference in the lives of those with visual impairments. While it has its limitations, like not being able to authenticate the genuineness of notes, its primary function of accurately identifying denominations has been achieved effectively. As technology continues to evolve, it is hoped that the RBI and other financial institutions will build on this success and develop even more comprehensive and accessible financial services for all citizens, further strengthening the fabric of an inclusive financial ecosystem in India.
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