CNN is set to air a 30-minute program that explores Bangladesh’s preparations for sustainable economic and environmental growth.
The program, titled “Growing Bangladesh”, will examine how Bangladeshi innovators are finding localised solutions to the country’s core challenges, such as flood-resistant homes and solar-powered pay-as-you-go microgrids, according to a press release of CNN International.
Marina Tabassum, an award-winning Bangladeshi architect famed for her landmark designs such as Swadhinata Stambha at Suhrawardy Udyan, is featured in the CNN program.
Tabassum bases the majority of her initiatives in Bangladesh, drawing on the country’s rich history, culture, and needs, with an emphasis on improving homes and lives.
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Aiming at climate change mitigation, she is developing flatpack bamboo homes for those affected by flooding. Her work seeks to make a difference and embrace social responsibility while celebrating the heritage of Bangladesh.
“Growing Bangladesh” also features Fahad Ifaz, the co-founder of iFarmer. With nearly half of the country’s population employed in agriculture and more than 70 percent of its land used for farming, Fahad and his friends founded the initiative in 2019 with the goal of transforming the agricultural sector.
iFarmer seeks to increase farmers’ income and productivity by providing bundled services for finance, timely advisory services, education, modern farming technology, and access to inputs and appropriate markets.
With more than 87,000 farmers registered on the platform, the company has transformed Bangladesh’s agricultural sector by facilitating the sale of nearly 190,000 tonnes of produce and facilitating more than $19 million in funding assistance for farmers throughout the country, according to the CNN press release.
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Salma Islam, head of projects, fundraising, and communications at SOLshare, a start-up hoping to kickstart the electric vehicle (EV) revolution in Bangladesh is among the “changemakers” who are featured in the program.
CNN’s “Growing Bangladesh” also features Rokaiya Ahmed Purna, one of the country’s leading fashion designers who seek to revolutionise Bangladesh’s readymade garment industry by unleashing the country’s creativity.
Purna’s ‘Design in Bangladesh’ platform – to be launched later this year – aims to turn the tables and conceptualize the idea of “Designed in Bangladesh” instead of “Made in Bangladesh”.
Her platform will provide opportunities for Bangladeshi designers and she hopes that this will demonstrate the country’s creative prowess to the world and garner international recognition for Bangladeshi designs.
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During the 30-minute show, CNN also talks to Taslima Miji, the founder of Leatherina, a manufacturer of leather products. The company is committed to making a difference in the leather industry by procuring responsibly and reducing waste and designs many of its bags in-house.
The show will air at 11 am and 9 pm Bangladeshi time on April 1.