DHAKA, Feb 21, 2024 (BSS) - The government has opened three AI software based on Bangla language, enabling users to convert Bengali text to speech and speech to text and extract text from unedited documents.

State Minister for Posts, Telecommunications and ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak today launced the software for users at a function organized by his ministry at BCC auditorium here coinciding with the International Mother Language Day, said an official release.

He also unveiled a Bangla font, digitally representing the Bangla characters, symbols and glyphs, announced a special affordable package of BTCL's Broadband Internet Bandwidth Zipon and opened Teletalk Bangladesh Limited's E-SIM.

The Bangladesh Computer Council (BCC) developed the software and the Bangla font to promote the Bangla language in the digital space.

Posts and Telecommunications Division Secretary Abu Hena Morshed Zaman and ICT Division Secretary Md Shamsul Arefin spoke, among others, at the function with BCC Executive Director Ranajit Kumar in the chair.

According to the release, Bengali text-to-speech (TTS) software 'Uccharon', will convert text into spoken words as the application can read text from documents, websites and screen windows, which is highly expected to benefit visually impaired people.

The software has been designed with voices of both male and female and it is now available on the website read.bangla.gov.bd.

The Bengali speech-to-text software named 'Kotha' is able to transform clear and properly spoken Bengali words into text. It is available on the software voice.bangla.gov.bd.

Bangla OCR named 'Borno' is able to extract text from unedited documents like tables, common English words, institution names and logos in government documents and transform into editable documents. It is accessible through the website ocr.bangla.gov.bd.

The Bangla Unicode font "Purno" has been developed after addressing the font-related challenges and encompassing essential typographic elements for Bangla publications. It is available on the website https://bangla.gov.bd/fonts/.

Speaking on the occasion, the state minister said introducing Bangla language in technology is a historical event for Bangla speaking 35 crore people across the world.

It has added a new dimension to the development of Bangla language under the prudent leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, he said.

At the beginning of the programme, the state minister along with other officials of the ministry paid homage to the martyrs of the Language Movement by placing a wreath.