Over the past years, a wind of change reaped by the government’s ‘Digital Bangladesh’ has been blowing over the 64 districts of this riverine country. Not only the urban people, but also the village folks are enjoying the benefits of rapid adoption of online services. Now, people in remote villages have access to internet. Even a farmer or a housewife living in faraway villages now may have a Facebook account which was beyond our imagination only a decade ago. All these profound changes in the society indeed are the outcome of the government’s ‘Digital Bangladesh’ initiative.
Reportedly, the government has set up Union Digital Centers across the country under its ‘Digital Bangladesh’ initiative to help the marginal people receive services and earn foreign currencies as well. Data from the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Division shows, currently about six million people receive services from 5,865 digital centers in 4,500 unions and 329 municipalities across the country every month.
The government must ensure
affordable internet services to
the remote areas of the country
The government has been working relentlessly to reach broadband internet to every corner of the country. Already, the government has successfully connected 2400 unions with high-speed internet connectivity through optical fiber. Earlier in last year, providing internet services to remote Moheshkhali, the government declared it as the country’s first digital island. It is indeed a significant breakthrough by which Bangladesh is bringing 21st-century services and dreams to its citizens.
It needs no emphasizing that Internet will make life easier for the rural people as it will ensure their access to necessary information. For instance, people from remote corners of the country will easily have access to online medical services and villagers will be able to expand their local business to different markets. It will also build a digital platform for students.
There is no denying that the government’s various initiatives to provide internet to every corner of the country is laudable, but at the same time we must educate the people about the wrong use of internet and cyber crimes. Also the government must ensure affordable internet services to the remote areas of the country.