Summary:
- Avro Keyboard’s four-member development team received Bangladesh’s prestigious Ekushey Padak award on 20 February 2025 for revolutionizing Bangla language computing since 2003
- Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus honored Mehdi Hasan Khan, Rifat Nabi, Tanbin Islam Siam, and Shabab Mustafa at a Dhaka ceremony
- Lead developer Mehdi Hasan Khan initially rejected solo recognition, advocating for collective acknowledgement of his team’s contributions
- The Ministry of Cultural Affairs revised its award criteria to honor collaborative tech innovations following the team’s recognition
Dhaka’s Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus today presented the Ekushey Padak to the four-member team behind Avro Keyboard, honoring their transformative contributions to Bangla language digitization. Developers Mehdi Hasan Khan, Rifat Nabi, Tanbin Islam Siam, and Shabab Mustafa received the nation’s second-highest civilian award during a ceremony in the capital on Thursday, 20 February 2025.
The open-source software, launched in 2003, enabled millions to type Bangla phonetically using standard English keyboards, eliminating reliance on complex layouts. Its intuitive design fueled widespread adoption, accelerating digital communication and content creation in Bangla across social media, education, and professional sectors.
The recognition followed public appeals by lead developer Mehdi Hasan Khan, who initially declined the award unless his collaborators were included. “This was never a solo effort—every team member’s dedication shaped Avro’s success,” Khan emphasized during the ceremony. The Ministry of Cultural Affairs revised its decision days earlier, expanding the honor to all four developers.
Avro Keyboard’s legacy includes empowering marginalized communities, preserving linguistic heritage, and setting benchmarks for localized tech solutions. Over two decades, the tool has remained free and accessible, with updates addressing evolving user needs. Today, it serves as the default input method for Bangla on major operating systems and mobile platforms.
The award underscores Bangladesh’s growing emphasis on homegrown innovations in its digital transformation agenda. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina acknowledged the team’s work as “a cornerstone of our journey toward a tech-driven society.”
Cultural Affairs Minister Asaduzzaman Noor noted the Padak’s revised criteria now prioritize collaborative achievements in science and technology. The Avro team joins 21 other recipients this year, including luminaries in literature, arts, and social service.
