Indian Culture — gov. portal for everything India

It's no secret that the present government websites are difficult for users to navigate and frequently lack fundamental accessibility and functionality. Accessing authentic and accurate information from the government about any public topics, such as Indian government schemes and initiatives or articles, can often be challenging. The lack of a single platform that connects various government ministries and organizations makes it all the more challenging for citizens to connect and obtain the required information.

That's why we've taken on the challenge of enhancing and redesigning the Indian Culture portal which could be the ultimate destination and single source of truth for all things related to Indian culture and other government updates.

With a well-designed and user-friendly interface, the Indian Culture website aims to uplift the rich craft and handmade MSME sector to the global audience while maintaining an unadulterated flow of knowledge and updates.

Indian Culture portal aims to provide a platform that solves the problem of a scattered and inaccessible source of authentic information from the Indian government. The platform will bridge the gap between the government and the general public, providing them with the opportunity to discover, learn, immerse, and connect with India and its rich cultural heritage. It will serve as an encyclopedia of the nation, covering everything from Indian architecture, music, dance, art, cuisines, latest updates, and more. The platform also intends to support local artisans and the rich craft and handmade MSME sector while giving Indian startups and young entrepreneurs the opportunity to be recognized and to network. It will also act as a platform for Indian thinkers and up-and-coming talent to contribute innovative ideas and be part of several teams serving the same vision.

Because there isn't a platform that is easy to use and caters to all reliable information regarding government initiatives and schemes, it is difficult for citizens to acquire accurate and up-to-date public information. This has resulted in the need for a platform that can maintain and ease the process of connecting people to the government and India. The traditional skills and art of local Indian artisans have not been getting the recognition they deserve. This has resulted in a decline in the sector. We seek to help these artisans showcase their skills and connect with a global audience, so that they can earn the respect and revenue they rightfully deserve.India is a nation rich in culture, tradition, and knowledge, but there is an ongoing need for the country to position itself for the digital future and showcase its unique heritage to a global audience.

By creating an online platform that is easily accessible to people in India and abroad and serves as an encyclopedia of India's tangible and intangible cultural heritage.The platform will also facilitate learning and engagement with the government and serve as a marketplace for purchasing authentic Indian craft and goodies.

Interactive Map: Discover through a Map

India is a country with diverse cultures and traditions, and this map allows users to learn more about specific regions in an engaging way.With just a click, users can engage with the map and discover new places, customs, festivals, cuisines, or historical events and landmarks associated with each state or union territory. Whether you're a traveler planning a trip to India or simply curious about its rich cultural heritage, our map is an excellent way to deepen your understanding of specific regions and their unique traditions.This map is a great way to understand the incredible diversity of India and the vibrant cultures that make up this beautiful nation.

Interactive Image Scroll: India in Pictures

Our cool, intuitive, and interactive image scroll feature enhances the user experience by allowing them to easily browse through stunning images from the respective region's category.

Users can easily dive deep into the cuisine of the respective region, view and download recipes, as well as learn about renowned Indian chefs.

Each image is clickable and leads to a more detailed page, providing users with the opportunity to dive deeper into the fascinating world of India's rich cultural heritage.

Additionally, users can switch between other categories such as heritage, music, dance, painting, and craft with just a click, all within the same region.

India’s Virtual Agent: 24/7 Friendly Virtual Help

Users can access the advanced AI chatbot, India's virtual agent, by clicking on the bottom right icon at any time. The chatbot will provide guidance on common issues and connect users to the appropriate human representatives for quick and easy assistance. Users can choose to continue chatting or request on-call assistance.

E-Shop: Easy Online and Offline Shopping

The portal offers multiple ways for users to search for and purchase craft products. They can search for products by state or use various filters within the shop section to refine their search. Users can view product details and check for availability in nearby offline stores or order online for delivery.

This feature makes it easy and convenient for users to find and purchase authentic Indian craft products.

Craft Lead Support: Bulk Order Customization

There are dedicated craft leads for each craft, who offer the craftsmen one-on-one support and direction in managing orders. Users can easily customize bulk orders through a simple form or contact leads via phone or text for further help.

This feature not only streamlines the bulk ordering and customization process but also provides a platform for artisans to showcase their craft and receive business support.

Clear Checkout: Transparent Pay

Users can easily buy products or add them to their jholla for later purchase.

The step-by-step purchasing process is simple, with clear and transparent pricing information provided at each stage.

The E-Shop also supports multiple payment methods, making it convenient for users to pay for their purchases.

Seamless Sign-In: Multi-Account Options

The portal offers a convenient and flexible sign-up process, allowing users to quickly create an account using their social media accounts like Facebook, Gmail, and Twitter. Alternatively, they can sign up using their phone number or email for added convenience.

Customer Support: Multiple Channels

Users have other ways to contact us in addition to the 24x7 AI chatbot help, including filling out the "Contact Us" form, emailing us, calling our toll-free numbers, or contacting us through various social media sites. They can also easily locate us on the map and visit any of our physical centers across India. These options further provide assistance to users, thereby building their trust and confidence and increasing their satisfaction with the customer support system.

Medium Link for the full design process

Dive into the complete design journey behind this project on my Medium blog.

(Your exploration is highly encouraged! 🥺)

Research | Heuristic Evaluation | Personas | User Journeys | Information Architecture | Ideation | UX | UI | Prototyping

This project was a collaboration with my friend, Devisha Gupta, and the documentation and presentation on this portfolio website are my sole contributions.

I've delved deep into my design process on my Medium Blog. Give it a read!

Appreciate your time !

Reference

https://indianculture.gov.in/ | https://www.handicraftsinindia.in/ | https://lepakshihandicrafts.gov.in/ | http://www.nczcc.in/ | https://www.investindia.gov.in/ | https://www.holidify.com/pages/handicrafts-of-india-183.html | https://yehaindia.com/handicrafts-in-india-you-sure-would-want-to-own-one-of-those-pieces/ | https://cis-india.org/accessibility/accessibility-audit-of-govt-websites