“Language must be free”—guided by this solemn statement, Avro, Bangladesh’s first free and open-source graphical keyboard software, emerged in 2003 and revolutionized the Bengali typing system forever.
Marking a groundbreaking leap over traditional intricate and paid methods, Avro shattered barriers and made Bengali input on digital devices effortless and free from commercial constraints, UNB reprots.
Let’s reminisce about this transformative software's dramatic journey and the story of its visionary innovator, Mehdi Hasan's Team.
A Young Dreamer with a Striking Idea
At the 2003 Ekushey Book Fair, Mehdi Hasan Khan, then a higher-secondary student with a passion for programming and technology, attended the “Bangla Linux” display held by a voluntary organization, Bangla Innovation through Open Source (BIOS). There he saw the first Bengali website using a Unicode model named, Unibangla, which was designed for Linux.
Moved by the display, young Mehdi began researching “Bangla Linux,” which included an on-screen click-based keyboard for typing Bengali. Overwhelmed by the lack of a similar option for Windows, Mehdi developed the idea of a new simplified multi-platform Bengali keyboard.
From Ideation to Existence
Obsessed with the idea of a unique Bengali typing software, Mehdi Hasan immediately started the project. After looking up the dictionary, he selected “Avro,” which translates to “Sky,” as the project name.
A Windows-compatible prototype of the Avro Keyboard was developed using the Visual Basic programming language. The prototype followed a layout similar to the then-popular Bijoy layout, which was later replaced with Avro Easy, the phenomenal phonetic layout.
On March 26, 2003, Mehdi released a primary version of the Avro Keyboard. To provide broad and easy access to the software, he published a new website, OmicronLab.
By that time, he had become a student at Mymensingh Medical College and was put under a massive study load. In addition, OmicronLab’s forum section slowly began receiving feedback and advice for further upgradation. To help Mehdi cope with the response, joined Rifat Un Nabi, Tanbin Islam Siam, Shabab Mustafa, and Omar Osman in the development.
Currently, Avro uses Delphi replacing Visual Basic for the Windows version. The Linux version, primarily developed with C++, has shifted to iBus and JavaScript, while the macOS version uses Objective-C.
Going Beyond Traditional Layouts
Extending the English “QWERTY” layout model, Munier Choudhury developed the first Bengali keyboard layout in 1965, which was accepted as the ideal format across all Bengali typing software.
Later, Mustafa Jabbar introduced a fresh layout under the banner of Ananda Computers and marketed it as Bijoy 2000.
Realizing the need for a ubiquitously usable model, Mehdi Hasan innovated a stable, Unicode-based phonetic layout, the Avro Phonetic Layout, that translates Roman letters to Bengali. Favouring the mass demand for a simplified typing solution, Mehdi’s unique layout instantly became popular among all classes of people.
Era-transforming Features and Influence
Avro Keyboard has ushered in a new era for Bengali communicators, empowering everyone to express their thoughts without memorizing complex layouts. Its phonetic layout simply translates the English spelling of Bengali phonetics into letters. The keyboard doesn’t even require a default Bengali setting in the operating system to perform the translation.
Though based on Unicode, Avro provides options for ANSI. For fixed-layout practitioners, it integrates several layouts, such as Prophat, Jatiya, Bornona, Avro Easy, and Munir Optima. Bolstering impeccable writing, it offers a default spell-checker on-typing suggestions for closely spelt words.
Users can switch between Bengali, Hindi, Tamil, Arabic, and English languages with the comfort of pressing a single key. The keyboard layout supports multifarious customization options, enabling users to adjust fonts and create shortcuts. Despite being a free endeavour, Avro is updated frequently, meeting users' demands and publishing modified or new features.
Avro’s user-centric design has inspired the development of several modern multi-platform keyboards, including the Ridmik Keyboard, Borno Keyboard, and OpenBangla Keyboard, cementing its reputation as the forerunner of modern Bengali typing methods.
Recognitions and Accolades
The sheer dedication and patriotism reflected in each step of Avro’s development have turned Mehdi Hasan Khan and his team into national heroes. Driven by immense gratitude, Bangladeshi netizens raised their voices on social media, demanding national recognition for these deserving yet unsung heroes.
Acknowledging the public demand, the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, under the Interim Government, has decided to honor Mehdi Hasan Khan, along with his three cohorts–Rifat Un Nabi, Tanbin Islam Siam, and Shabab Mustafa–with Ekushey Padak 2025.
Before this, in 2011, the Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services (BASIS) conferred the Special Contribution to IT Award 2011 upon Team Avro.
Mehdi’s uncompromising efforts in making the Avro Keyboard a world-class software has also brought international recognition. Microsoft has certified Avro as an immaculate medium for index language input and added it to the online solution directory. Wikipedia uses Avro as its default in-browser Bengali input system.
Conclusion
The Bangla typing software Avro’s unparalleled contribution to Bangladesh’s digital advancement is written in golden letters in history. The beaming example set by Mehdi Hasan Khan and his fellow team members has become a national pride, and it will continue to inspire people to be selfless pursuers of their dreams forever.
