From religious harmony to cultural diversity and creating a harmonious environment in the digital space, the ‘Digital Peace Keeper’ and the ‘Tonger Gaan’ has jointly won the innovative challenge ‘Digital Khichuri Challenge-2022’ award for the best innovative initiatives. ‘Digital Peace Keepers’ will work to spread the message of peace against rumours, digital harassment, cyberbullying, religious and secular violence through TikTok, Reels, Jokes and Illustrations. In folk songs Tong‘s song wants to build a unique tolerant cultural environment in the digital space like Baul, Murshidi,.
The State Minister for Information and Communication Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak announced co-working space and funding support from iDEA and Startup Bangladesh to all 7 innovators of the final stage at Vision Tower in Kawran Bazar while handing over the prizes to the winners at the BCC Auditorium of ICT Tower on Sunday afternoon.
While speaking as the chief guest at the event, the State Minister for Information and Communication Technology said that to build a smart Bangladesh, everyone should be tolerant, progressive and creative in their personal life. He said, ‘No one can hold us in check in the indomitable passion of our youth to build a non-sectarian and progressive society; We will build a progressive, tolerant and creative smart Bangladesh by the year 2041”.
Calling everyone to build a peaceful humanitarian world, he further said, inspired by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, we will also become humane citizens. I will be sad because of other’s pain; I will sympathize with others’ pain. This is what a citizen needs most. Not only should we be educated, we should be humane along with being educated. Be awake and conscious in the education of morals and values.
Mentioning the development of a philosophy and innovation, the state minister urged the youth to look at that aspect not to be limited to projects or products as well. He emphasized the adoption of a partnership approach in establishing data-driven decision-making as a nation.
Among others, UNDP Resident Representative Stefan Leeler, Norwegian Embassy Deputy Head of Mission Silje Fine Wannibo and Bangladesh Computer Council Executive Director Ranjit Kumar spoke.
Robert Stollen, Convener of Digital Khichuri Challenge and Project Director of UNDP delivered the welcome speech.
Among others, UNDP Assistant Resident Representative Anwarul Haque, Better Stories story teller Minhaj Anwar, Bithika Hasan, Abdul Qayyum, Siddharth Goswami and others were present.
At the end of 5 successful cohorts, creative innovators presented their ideas to keep cyberspace safe one by one in the final presentation. In addition to the winner, members of the Let’s Spread Humanity, Philip the Side, Team Saba, Illuminate and Hurricane teams explained the innovative ideas.