September 5 marks the 47th anniversary of the membership of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the United Nations’ specialized body for telecommunications technology. On this day in 1973, under the visionary leadership of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the newly independent Bangladesh became a member of the ITU – opening the golden door of Bangladesh to the world of telecommunications. On the occasion of the day, the Department of Posts has released commemorative stamps, opening envelopes and data cards.
Posts and Telecommunications Minister Mostafa Jabbar released them from his office. In a statement issued on the occasion, the minister said the acquisition of membership of the ITU was the fruit of Bangabandhu’s visionary leadership. He said in a statement that the main task of this specialized agency of the United Nations is to set up telecommunication networks and ensure uninterrupted telecommunication services.
He said Bangabandhu sowed the seeds of digital Bangladesh by becoming a member of this organization even while standing on the ruins of war in newly independent Bangladesh. Following this, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman set up a satellite ground station at Betbunia to ensure modern telecommunication services with the world. The seeds of Digital Bangladesh germinated through the establishment of T&T Board and membership of UPU. After the death of Bangabandhu and his family in 1975, overcoming a long stagnation of 21 years, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina transformed the sprouted seeds into saplings from 1996 to 2001. Mr. Mostafa Jabbar, a pioneer in the development of digital technology, said that the groundbreaking programs in the development of digital technology, including the introduction of mobile phones and computer technology to the general public, laid a solid foundation for digital Bangladesh during this period. However, due to ignorance about digital technology, in the early nineties, the then government deprived Bangladesh of free submarine connections and left Bangladesh 14 years behind in the world of digital technology. The Digital Bangladesh program announced on December 12, 2008 under the visionary leadership of the People’s Leader Sheikh Hasina. In the last 12 years Bangladesh has set a historical precedent on the path of progress. Under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh was elected as a council member of Bangladesh ITO in 2010 and 2014, the minister said. Following this, the Bangabandhu Satellite Project in 2016 and the Central Biometric Verification Monitoring Platform (CBVMP) solution in 2018 won the ITU Telecom Award. In addition, every year since 2012, various initiatives of Bangladesh have been receiving ‘OCIS’ award.
Mostafa Jabbar, the promoter of Bangla language in computer, said that the latest CBVMP solution in 2021 has brightened the image of Bangladesh in the world by getting the title of winner in ‘Oasis Prize 2021’. Not only that, the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications of Bangladesh Mr. Mostafa Jabbar has gained the rare honor of being the Chairperson of the OIC Conference.
Commemorative stamps and opening envelopes worth Taka 10 and data cards worth Taka 5 can be collected from Sunday at the Dhaka GPO’s Philatelic Bureau and later from other GPOs and major post offices across the country.
