Chandigarh: In a significant move aimed at promoting the Gurmukhi script and Punjabi language, Sikh Siyasat has launched a dedicated website for its widely used Punjabi Font Converter tool. The new website — ssfontconverter.com — offers real-time conversion between various legacy and Unicode Punjabi fonts and introduces new features to enhance user experience.

The Sikh Siyasat Font Converter was originally launched as a simple online tool on March 31, 2016, hosted on the Sikh Siyasat English news website. It quickly became one of the most popular tools for Punjabi writers, editors, students, and designers due to its speed, simplicity, and compatibility with multiple Punjabi fonts.

“Different typing patterns and font encodings created a strong need for a reliable and easy-to-use Punjabi font converter,” said Parmjeet Singh Gazi, Chief Editor of Sikh Siyasat.
“Our aim has always been to serve the Punjabi language and its users. With this dedicated platform, we’re taking that mission forward”, he added.

Over the years, the converter was upgraded, with a major performance enhancement rolled out on April 23, 2021. However, when Sikh Siyasat’s main website faced accessibility restrictions in India, users’ access to the font converter was also impacted. To address this issue and maintain uninterrupted service, Sikh Siyasat launched SSFontConverter as a standalone web platform.

The newly launched site has been designed and developed by Hargur Media and The Hawk Tech, while the core converter was programmed by senior software developer Prabhjot Singh, who volunteered his expertise for the project.

“We’re grateful to Prabhjot Singh for offering his skills voluntarily. His contribution has been key to ensuring smooth, real-time font conversions for our users,” said Parmjeet Singh Gazi.

The converter supports dozens of conversion cases including:

• Legacy to Unicode: AnmolLipi, DrChatrikWeb, Asees, Awaze, Satluj, Joy, GurbaniLipi

• Unicode to Legacy: Including the above fonts

• Cross Legacy Conversion: Between all listed legacy fonts

To further support users, the new platform includes live word and character counters for both input and output fields — an essential feature for editors and publishers.

“Over time, users began searching for our tool using the name ‘Sikh Siyasat Font Converter’. We’ve embraced that identity officially because it reflects the trust people have in this service,” Parmjeet Singh Gazi added.

The website has a clean design. It is completely free from any kind of enforced full page advertisement or annoying pop-ups.

With the launch of ssfontconverter.com, Sikh Siyasat reaffirms its commitment to digital tools for the Punjabi language, and plans are underway to release desktop applications for Mac OS and Windows in the near future.