The creator of Avro Keyboard, Mehdi Hasan Khan, shares the Ekushey Padak honor with three key team members for their contributions to the software’s success.
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| Avro Keyboard’s Mehdi Hasan Khan accepts Ekushey Padak as part of a team, emphasizing the collective effort behind the software’s success. Image/ Illustration: ChicHue |
Dhaka, Bangladesh — February 10, 2025:
Mehdi Hasan Khan, the creator of the iconic Bengali typing software Avro Keyboard, has agreed to accept the prestigious Ekushey Padak, but with a twist. Initially reluctant to accept the award individually, Khan has decided to share the honor with his three collaborators—Rifat Nabi, Tanbin Islam Siyam, and Shabab Mustafa—who played vital roles in the development of Avro.
Cultural Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki confirmed the announcement on Sunday, revealing that the cabinet had previously extended the invitation to Khan, who had declined. However, Khan’s stance changed this year, and he agreed to accept the award, provided that the recognition be a collective one for all four contributors.
Farooki expressed his excitement for the award, stating, “We are delighted to announce that the Ekushey Padak will be awarded to these four remarkable individuals as a team for their collective contribution to Avro.” He further shared that the team, now living in different parts of the world, would return to Bangladesh to accept the award together.
In a Facebook post, Khan also reflected on the journey of Avro Keyboard, recounting its inception in 2003 when he was an unknown name in the Bangla computing world. The mission was to address technical issues around the Unicode standard, and Khan initially established an online forum for users to seek solutions. Gradually, others, including students, joined the mission, contributing without any personal gain. “Selfish people couldn’t stop us, no matter how hard they tried,” Khan recalled, highlighting the team’s dedication and selflessness.
The success of Avro Keyboard, which revolutionized Bangla typing, has been a symbol of teamwork, and Khan emphasized that the Ekushey Padak was a recognition of that collaborative effort. He also expressed gratitude to the committee for understanding the importance of collective recognition.
Reflecting on the award, Khan expressed his gratitude and said, “From start to finish, I couldn’t accept this honor without Rifat, Siyam, and Shabab. Their contributions were integral to Avro’s journey.” He also acknowledged the long-standing campaigns that advocated for the recognition of Avro and added that the real treasure was the friendships and teamwork formed along the way.
Khan also praised the government’s decision to honor the Bangladesh Women’s Football Team with the Ekushey Padak, calling for continued recognition of collective achievements. As Avro Keyboard continues to be a symbol of innovation in Bangla computing, Khan expressed hope that it would inspire future generations to work together for a common goal.