Write a composition on Digital Bangladesh

Introduction: The world is becoming a digital planet. Globalization and use of Information and communication Technology ( ICT) have brought the  nations closer. At present, almost every state  is running out become a knowledge based society by 2015. Bangladesh cannot remain out of it and the Globalization has declared to turn Bangladesh into a digital one by 2021, on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of the independence of Bangladesh. ‘Digital Bangladesh’ is a concept that allow our country to be more efficient, transparent and commercially more productive.

Meaning of ‘Digital Bangladesh’: The word ‘Digital’ describes a system based on discontinuous data or events. And the term ‘Digital Bangladesh’ refers to a society based on knowledge. The object of establishing a ‘Digital Bangladesh’ is to ensure and ICT ( Information and communication Technology) driven knowledge-based society where information will be readily available online and where all possible tasks of the government, Semi-government and also private spheres will be processed using the state of the art technology. So, a digital Bangladesh must guarantee efficient and effective use of modern ICT in all spheres of the society with a view to establishing good governance.

However, in broader sense, it encompasses something more than that. It refers to establishing a society where we will get a developed life free from crime, corruption and misrule and finally where we will be able to face the challenges of 21^st century full of possibilities and free of poverty, with easy access to health care and education.

Objectives/Goals of Digital Bangladesh: The basic goals for Digital Bangladesh should focus on:

v A reliable, secure broadband infrastructure throughout the nation with access for every Bangladesh.
v A Digitally literate population and workforce.
v A digitally enabled nation, providing e-government information and servi9ce at national, regional levels.
v An easy flow of information between ministries, administrative offices at district levels, national, regional levels;
v A legal framework that assures freedom of expression, democracy, transparency, and access to  knowledge and culture.

Present scenario: Due to globalization and ICT, Bangladesh has already been connected with the outside world. It has been connected to worldwide Internet Super High way through and under sea submarine cable since 2006. Yet in the field of ICT, our only grand success lies in Mobile Telecommunication which has brought about an abrupt change in achievements are very insignificant and we are still far away from transforming ourselves into a knowledge based society.

Building strong ICT infrastructure is the pre-requisite for making Bangladesh a digital one. In order to develop this ICT infrastructure, we must ensure and uninterrupted power supply. But the latest statistics reveal that Bangladesh faces a power deficit of up to 2000 MW against a demand of 5000 MW daily. Moreover internet users must be increased for the development of ICT. Howeover, internet penetration in our country is only 0.3%. Whereas, in Pakistan and India, it is 7.3% and 5.3% respectively. There is a strong correlation between English literacy and ICT development in the present context of globalization. But English literacy rate in Bangladesh is less than one percent. Network infrastructure within the country and the propensity of our country to exploit opportunities offered by ICT are also very less.

Problems and challenges: The promise of a Digital Bangladesh has renewed hopes for the people in Bangladesh, especially for the young’s. However, the prospect of Digital Bangladesh is being hindered by regular power-cuts even in the major city- centres. The general development of the country is being hampered by pervasive corruption in government. In addition, it requires a huge amount of  money to make Bangladesh a digital one. Besides, one of the main obstacles in its way is the low literacy level. Looking at the other way, even if it is implemented, a statistics projects that only 10-15% of the people will take the opportunity and will deprive the other of the outcome of ‘Digital Bangladesh’

Initiatives/Steps to be taken: Though the above accounts seem to be frustrating, these can easily be overcome within a reasonable spam of time. The Government must make every effort of ensure Digital Bangladesh. The concept needs and infusion of resources, leadership and village-centered development. The government should set out its mission and goals, and a clear statement of how these will be achieved. We will need to take a pragmatic and visionary approach so that it can curb the prevailing digital gap in the society. Moreover, the journey towards a digital Bangladesh needs the incorporation of the technologically solvent innovative younger generation.

Conclusion: The concept of Digital Bangladesh and 2021 vision carry hope for a different approach: more democracy, transparency and accountability. Therefore, inspire of the challenges o it way, we all should work together to make Bangladesh a modern, technologically sophisticated and a networked country. If necessary, our national policies should be reformulated with the Millennium Development Goals. Only then, we will be able to get a developed Bangladesh which will emerge with dignity in the global arena.