In the era of modernization, the value of typewriters has decreased. Earlier, typists used to sit with typewriters at important points in the city. Typewriters were most widely used in courts and various government offices. Typewriting could be done in both Bengali and English. Although English typewriting has been around for centuries, Bengali typewriting has reigned for half a century after its invention. Now, lawyers have computers and laptops in every chamber. Computer shops with more facilities are just a few steps away. Therefore, the value of typewriters has decreased.
Abul Kalam Azad, who is over 60, has been working as a typist at the Dhaka Judge's Court since 1987. For 38 years, he has been typing with a typewriter at the entrance of Revati Mansion next to the Dhaka Judge's Court.
He told Barta24.com that typewriters were very valuable before. Common people or lawyers used to stand in line to get work done. Now that glamour is gone. Nowadays, with computers all around us, the value of typewriters has decreased. I still sit with a typewriter because I am old and cannot do any other work. Some days I earn 2-100 taka. Some days I earn none.
Azad also said, "That work I used to do is gone. Now I do small jobs. I run my family with whatever I earn."
When I went to the Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge's Court, I saw only two typists in the designated place for 37 typists. Computers have taken over the place of typewriters. One of the two typists, Shekhar Pal, told Barta24.com, "There is no work, the family is not running. I am somehow surviving."
Subhash Pal, adviser to the nearly extinct Professional Typist Welfare Association at the Dhaka Judge's Court, said, "I have been typing for 49 years. Now, since there is no work for typewriters, I work on computers. However, not on the Bijoy keyboard, but on the Munir's Optima keyboard. The keyboard of the typewriter is similar to this keyboard. I learned typing in the hope of getting a government job. But I have been working as a typist for so many years because I could not get a job.
He also said that now no one is learning typing. And there is no institution to teach it. We are the last generation who will die and the typist profession will also disappear.
Hasan, the former general secretary of the association, said that earlier we had an association across the country. Now it is not there. Earlier, typists used to work in various places in the city including Dhaka Court Kachari, Dainik Banglar Mor, Land Office, Rajuk Bhaban, Press Club. Now due to lack of work, they have either changed their profession or died of old age.
Advocate Jewel Ahmed said that typists are quite skilled in spelling. When they are given work, there is no need to be tense about spelling mistakes. If you do not proofread computer work, many mistakes remain. That is why we do all the small and big work of the court with a typewriter. Earlier, many typists could be seen. Now they are not seen at all. Without typists, it would be a bit of a hassle to fill out various forms of the court and do other work.