a2i honored 100 entrepreneurs of digital centers across the country for their exemplary contribution in providing emergency food aid through the 333 National Helpline in the national crisis caused by the Corona pandemic. This award was given in recognition of the voluntary activities of the entrepreneurs of digital centers across the country. This award was given at the entrepreneur conference organized with the entrepreneurs of Digital Center at a local hotel in the tourist city of Cox’s Bazar on Thursday. Project Director (Joint Secretary) of a2i Dr. Dewan Muhammad Humayun Kabir was present as the chief guest at the event. Cox’s Bazar Deputy Commissioner Md. Mamunur Rashid presided over the event as a special guest.
National helpline 333 is providing information and services about the country’s government services to the citizens immediately. Due to the outbreak of coronavirus in Bangladesh, like in other countries of the world, the toll-free sub-service has been added to the national helpline number 333 to reduce the suffering of the people in the lockdown situation. 333 helpline has made a significant contribution in providing food assistance to unemployed poor citizens in crisis situations. These 100 volunteer entrepreneurs of the Digital Center help in receiving calls from all over the country. As the middle-class people could not talk about their plight to anyone, they reported their helplessness over the phone to the 333 helpline and their information was forwarded to the local administration. The local administration has verified and delivered the necessary food aid to the houses. The top 10 most calls received out of 100 entrepreneurs were Md. Mojammel Hossain, Sohrab Hossain, Hasna Akter, Md. Sultan Mahmud, Md. Shahin Alam, Mosammat Munmun Nahar, Al Amin Khan, Amina Begum Pinky, Md. Arif Mia, and Md. Mamunujjaman Khan.
The Project Director (Joint Secretary) of a2i thanked the entrepreneurs of Digital Center for the implementation of Digital Bangladesh and the speedy delivery of technology-friendly public and private services to marginalized groups. Dewan Muhammad Humayun Kabir said Hon’ble Prime Minister declared you as digital children. Today Digital Center is globally recognized as a unique example of a bottom-up policy. Many countries are already implementing the concept of digital centers in their respective countries. The project director said you will work in the field of delivering services closer to the people in the construction of Smart Bangladesh. As you have proved your ability even during the crisis of the country, in the coming days also you will contribute to building a smart Bangladesh through the establishment of Smart Village.
It should be noted that ‘a2i’ under the implementation of the Cabinet Department and Information and Communication Technology Department and managed by UNDP is working tirelessly to implement Smart Bangladesh 2041 and deliver public-private services to the hands of the people. As a part of this, the ‘Business Model of 333’ is being developed with the aim of making Digital Center and National Call Center 333 more robust, sustainable and business-friendly and expanding its scope by adding new services. Currently, 16,100 entrepreneurs in a total of 8,350 digital centers are working tirelessly to deliver public and private services to the doorsteps of people easily, quickly and at low cost.
This conference was organized for volunteer entrepreneurs of 333 National Helpline with the aim of inspiring digital center entrepreneurs to provide services in the hands of the people, food assistance programs through 333, ongoing programs and the role of 333 in civic services and various initiatives taken by a2i to build a Smart Bangladesh in 2041.
The invited guests discussed increasing the involvement of center entrepreneurs, developing the business model of 333 and expanding the digital center through decentralization.
a2i Project Manager Md Majedul Islam, Head of Social Innovation and Operations Cluster Manik Mahmood, HD Media Manager Purabi Mateen, E-Governance Policy Expert (Senior Assistant Secretary) Al Imran Ruhul Islam, National Consultant Didar-e-Kibria, Capacity Development Coordinator Ashok Kumar Biswas, Communication and Media Outreach Consultant Adnan Faisal, National Consultant Mohammad Masum Billah and National Consultant Md. Kamal Hossain, 100 entrepreneurs from selected digital centers and various media persons from local and national levels were present.