Yahoo India Answers launches 'Ask the Planet' series in India

Mumbai, Jan 13 (UNI) Excited on getting overwhelming response from its latest offer 'Ask the Planet (ATP) series from other parts of the world, Yahoo India Answers today extended the series for India.

Briefing reporters here, Yahoo India MD George Zacharias said,'' Often people want to know opinions of others on a particular subject that concerns them before making their own decisions and this product comes as its answer''. The forum will provide a platform to answer some of the most important questions we face today, he added.

Giving an example, he said that if one asks the population of Borondi, the reply will be only one. However, if you want to know what you would like to do for making your five-year old wiser one, then you would seek opinion from various sections of people concerned you know and our new product provides such kind of forum for you.

At the launch of the service in June last year, well-known scientist, Dr Stephen Hawking had asked ''How can the human race survive for next 100 years''? Surprisingly, 28,000 answers were posted on the website to reply the answer.

With a view to popularise its new initiative, Yahoo! India has launched 'Ask the Planet' series for a period of six weeks under which prominent figures will post questions around globally pressing issues for the collective, knowledge of the Yahoo! Answers community, he informed.

First such question was posted by none other than the President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam himself who wants to know ''What should we do to free our planet from terrorism?''. It will be followed by new questions every week from Indian luminaries on varied subjects including education, health, law and enforcement, sports and society.

The company has roped in some 6-7 eminent persons from the country as 'achievers' to post questions for the initiative. Mr Zacharias said that unlike other search engines who have got panels of people for the purpose, we have thrown it open to the commonman.

To take part in the campaign, you need to have an e-mail Id on Yahoo, he said Director of Yahoo! India Search, Rishi Bahal said,''Initially we started this service for 25 cities of the country, but soon it would be introduced in the entire country''.

Currently the service, which has already been introduced in 16 foreign languages of the world, it has been made available in English for the country which will soon be extended to various other languages too, he said.

UNI