‘Digital Bangladesh’ means digitalizing Bangladesh by ensuring an ICT based society where information will be available on line and where all possible activities of the government and other non-government or semi-government organizations will be performed using digital technology. Making a digital Bangladesh was an election manifesto (2008) of Awami League, one of the leading political parties in Bangladesh. In the 9th National Parliamentary election, Awami League declared to develop Bangladesh into a digital country by the next decade.
Bangladesh is an independent country. She achieved her freedom more than 39 years ago. But still she is burdened with many problems like poverty, over population, unemployment, corruption, food deficit, natural calamities, power crisis etc. Considering all these, the present government has aimed at making a Digital Bangladesh to overcome these problems. The motto of Digital Bangladesh is to establish technology based digital governance, e-commerce, e-agriculture, e-education, e-production, etc. emphasizing the overall development of the country and the nation.
The benefits of Digital Bangladesh are many. If we can establish a Digital Bangladesh, corruption will be drastically reduced. Besides, it will save people’s time and money and will make people more enterprising and thus will reduce unemployment problem. It will connect people with the whole world economically, politically, socially, academically and even culturally. It will open doors for the people to improve their conditions. It will also improve banking and financial activities. Money transfer and transaction of business could be made within seconds by clicking the mouse of a computer. Agriculture, health, education, commerce – all these sectors will be highly benefited by makingBangladesh a Digital one.
The year 2021 will be a landmark in the history of Bangladesh which will mark the golden jubilee of the Bangladeshis’ independence. The present government is committed to freeingBangladesh from its current state of crisis and citizens will be able to live prosperous and happy lives. Democracy and strong democratic institutions will be established for holding reliable election at regular intervals, accountability the government to the people and effective parliament and human rights will be established on a strong footing with a view to ensuring the rule of law. Terrorism, corruption and the use of religion for politics will be stopped. The institutions of the state will be made more effective along with the independent and strong anti-corruption commission for curbing corruption. Social resistance to corruption will be promoted alongside legal steps. Steps shall be taken to ensure participation of women in all spheres of national life. It will be ensured that all citizens are equal before law and are entitled to equal protection of law. In fact, all measures will be taken to protectBangladesh. The visions have created the hope among the common people which should be implemented successfully.
Arif Hossain 