State Minister for Information and Communication Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak said that the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman prepared an unarmed and innocent nation for armed liberation war step by step. On 7th March 1971, he called the people to prepare and liberate them for the war of independence and also gave directions on how the war of liberation would be conducted.
The State Minister shared his thoughts in a video message at the discussion meeting on historical leadership of Bangabandhu and development of the country on the occasion of “103rd birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Great Independence and National Day” organized by Information and Communication Technology Division.
The state minister said that Bangabandhu’s daughter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has delivered the benefits of independence to every home. Bangabandhu’s unfinished struggle for economic emancipation succeeded and gifted technology-driven digital Bangladesh. He said that under the supervision of Architect of Digital Bangladesh Sajeeb Wazed Joy, proper infrastructure has been developed in the country’s ICT sector. We has created employment for 20 lakh youth by combining the talent of youth and the power of technology. Currently, the number of internet users in the country is 13 crores. People are getting more than 2 thousand government services. 52 thousand websites have been created. Besides, through 8500 digital centers, 1 crore people are getting digital services in short time and low cost every month. Currently, we are earning 1.4 billion dollars from the ICT sector. Our labor-driven economy has opened the door to a technology-driven digital economy.
He said, Bangabandhu joined the International Telecommunication Union on September 5, 1973 and established a geo-satellite substation at Bedbunia on June 14, 1975 to build a modern technology-based Sonar Bangla.
The State Minister said that various initiatives including 555 Joy Digital Centers are being adopted and implemented to turn the youth into skilled and qualified human resources. By 2025, we aim to create 30 lakh youth jobs, export earnings of 5 billion dollars, 10 lakh coders at primary level, 10 lakh programmers at secondary and higher secondary level and 10 lakh freelancers who pass SSC/HSC. We use technology as a tool to build an upper middle income country by 2031 and a technology-driven high income smart Bangladesh by 2041. He called upon all, including the young generation, to develop themselves as soldiers in the ideals of Bangabandhu.
The Information and Communication Technology Division Secretary Md. Samsul Arefin presided over the function while Additional Secretary of ICT Division Naveed Shafiullah, Executive Director of Bangladesh Computer Council Ranjit Kumar, Managing Director of Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority Mohammad Rezaul Karim, Director General of ICT Directorate Mostafa Kamal spoke at the event.