For the first time, the digital center’s 13th anniversary program was held at the district level in Singra, the constituency of the ICT state minister. The program took a new dimension through the children’s dance performance and entrepreneurs’ rally. They performed on the National Anthem and the theme song Gorje Otho Abaro. On this occasion, the ICT State Minister inaugurated the training program of the BDSET Center, Sheikh Kamal IT Training and Incubation Center under the Bangladesh Bharat Digital Service and Employment Training Center Establishment Project and the training orientation of the Her Power Project.
The Deputy Commissioner of Nator Abu Naser Bhuiyan presided over the anniversary while the Bangladesh-India Digital Services and Employment Training Center Project Director Amirul Islam Singra Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mahmuda Khatun, a2i Project Director Majedul Islam, Singra Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mizanur Rahman, Singra Municipal Chairman Jannatul Ferdous and others were present on the occasion.
While speaking as the Chief Guest, the ICT State Minister said that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has brought digital services within the reach of people. People sitting in villages are receiving digital services. People could never imagined that sitting in the village, they could pay land rents, dismissal, taxes, bills and so on. Things that used to take three months can now be done in minutes.
Singra Upazila of Nator celebrated the 13th anniversary of the Digital Center under Aspire to Innovate-a2i to deliver citizen-friendly technology services to the doorsteps of the people. The anniversary was organized by Information and Communication Technology Division and Singra Upazila Administration. A2I Project Director Md. Mamunur Rashid Bhuya, Natore Superintendent of Police Md. Tariqul Islam, PPM, Sub-Project Director (Deputy Secretary) of Sheikh Kamal IT Training and Incubation Center Establishment Project Mr. Md. Mokhtar Ahmed and Project Director of Bangladesh-India Digital Services and Employment Training Center Establishment Project Md. Amirul Islam were present as special guests at the event.
On the occasion, ICT State Minister Zunaid Ahmed Palak said that, Hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has taken the initiative of providing technology services from the remote village to realize the dream of Digital Bangladesh. The digital centers have been working as beacons of technology services at the marginal level. She promoted the empowerment of women at the village level by appointing a male as well as a female entrepreneur in the digital center. More than 17 thousand 800 male and female entrepreneurs of 9397 digital centers spread across the country are delivering more than 385 public and private services to citizens easily, quickly and at low cost.
More than 75 lakh services are being provided from the digital center every month. Entrepreneurs have so far saved citizens 78.14 percent time, 16.55 percent cost and 17.38 percent travel.
Pointing out that this initiative has won praise in the international arena, the State Minister said that the digital center will be the role model of Smart Bangladesh. This model is appreciated not only in the country but also internationally. Many countries are establishing this model of Bangladesh. Worked to establish 105 One Stop Centers along the lines of our Digital Center in Bangsamoro Province, Philippines. Apart from this, work is going on to replicate this model through cross border in South Africa, Ghana, Cambodia.
Village Digital Center is already being set up to ensure technology services in every corner of the village. The state minister announced plans to establish 1,000 village digital centers in the country by 2024. He said that we are setting up Village Digital Center so that no one is left behind from the smart services of Smart Bangladesh. Not only that, within the next year we will provide smart skills and employment to 20 lakh youth from here. Apart from this, I will work on creating smart citizens as well as building smart villages through various initiatives.
While speaking asa special guest, the project director of a2i Md. Mamunur Rashid Bhuya said that the digital center will be the hub of rural economy. Smart Bangladesh will work as a tool. Keeping those who are in diaspora in mind, we have already undertaken a plan to set up a diaspora help desk in all digital centers across the country by 2024. Expatriate Digital Centers will be set up in 10 countries with a majority of expatriates. Smart services of National Board of Revenue will be provided from all centers. We are planning to increase the number of these services from 385 to 500. Digital Center will be one of the tools for building Smart Bangladesh.
Nilufa Yasmin, sub-project director of Her Power Project of ICT Department, awarded the best women and men entrepreneurs selected by the district and Upazila administrations in the ceremony. One male and one female entrepreneur is awarded as the best entrepreneur of the district. Apart from this, one best entrepreneur (female/male) from seven Upazilas were awarded.