Twenty-four individuals, teams and organisations -- 12 from the national and 12 from the district levels — on Sunday received the Digital Bangladesh Award-2021 under different categories.

They were given the award in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the digital sector.

The awardees received their awards at a function at the city’s Bangabandhu International Conference Centre.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina joined the event virtually from her official residence Ganobhaban.

On behalf of the Prime Minister, State Minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak handed over the awards to the recipients.

The 12 national-level awardees are national portal implementation specialist (Deputy Secretary) of the a2i programme Md Doulutuzzaman Khan, media personality Shykh Seraj, Commerce Secretary Tapan Kanti Ghosh-led team, Farhin Hannan-led Dhaka Cast team, Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), Grameenphone Ltd, BREB software engineer ABM Nazibullah, Lawyer Mohammad Rafiqul Islam Chowdhury, PM’s Principal Secretary Dr Ahmad Kaikaus-led team, e-CAB president Shomi Kaiser-led team, Water Resources Ministry and Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA).

The 12 district-level awardees are Deputy Commissioner of Netrakona Kazi Md Abdur Rahman, Mahir Ashhab Labib of Bhola, Gopalganj Deputy Commissioner Shahida Sultana-led team, Mymensingh Medical College Hospital’s physician Zinia Rahman-led team, Rangamati Deputy Commissioner’s Office, Foodshahi BD of Rajshahi, Tentulia UNO Sohag Chandra Saha in Panchagarh, Sunny Jubair , Noakhali Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Khorshed Alam Khan-led team, students of Chattogram Cantonment Public College Abrar Shahid-led team, Madaripur Deputy Commissioner’s Office and My Outsourcing Limited.

Of them, six recipients were given the digital awards under each of the four categories --the national-level general category, the national-level technical category, the district-level general category and the district-level technical category.

Among the six recipients under the national-level general category, the best person (in the government sector) is Doulutuzzaman Khan (for the venture ‘Hater Mothoy Vumiseba Mobile App’-Mobile app for reaching land services at the hands of the people, while the best person (in the private sector) is Shykh Seraj (venture: Shykh Seraj Digital).

The best team (govt) is Commerce Secretary Tapan Kanti Ghosh-led team (Venture: Providing honorary allowances to all valiant freedom fighters through the government to Person-G2P method on the basis of Management Information System-MIS) and the best team (private) is Farhin Hannan-led team (Dhaka Cast, a healthcare startup).

The best organisation (govt) is DNCC–led by Mayor Atiqul Islam for (Citizen Engagement Management Platform titled ‘Sobar Dhaka App’) and the best organisation (private) is Grameen Phone-led by CEO Yasir Azman (‘GP Accelerator’ in developing startup ecosystem in the country).

Among the six recipients under the national-level technical category, the best person (govt) is software engineer ABM Nazibullah (API-based online bill payment services) and the best person (private) is Mohammad Rafiqul Islam Chowdhury (Solution of Electronic Document Notarization using notarybd.com, an innovative digital platform).

The best team (govt) is Principal Secretary Dr Ahmad Kaikaus-led team (Covid-19 Vaccine Management System-Surokkha) and the best team (private) is Shomi Kaiser-led team (Digital Haat).

The best organisation (govt) is the Water Resources Ministry (Flood forecasting and warning system through digital channel) and the best organisation (private) is BGMEA (Biometric Identity and Worker Information Management System).

Among the six recipients under the district-level general category, the best person (govt) is Netrakona DC Kazi Md Abdur Rahman (Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Women Corner) and the best person (private) is Mahir Ashhab Labib of Bhola (Smart Gas Leakage Detector).

The best team (govt) is Gopalganj DC Shahida Sultana-led team (Biometric Attendance: Central School Management System) and the best team (private) Dr Zinia Rahman-led team in Mymensingh (Digital Healthcare software titled ‘Boro Doctor’).

The best organisation (govt) is Rangamati DC Office (Online certificate system for permanent people) and the best organisation (private) is Foodshahi BD of Rajshahi (online home delivery service).

Among the six recipients under the district-level technical category, the best person (govt) is Tentulia UNO Sohag Chandra Saha (Digital Union tax and services system) and the best person (private) is Sunny Jubair (Defender-Fire Fighting Robot).

The best team (govt) is Noakhali DC Khorshed Alam Khan-led team (Development of E-Nalish software for online submission of complaints) and the best team (private) is Abrar Shahid-led team (AgroBot for assisting in the agriculture sector).

The best organisation (govt) is Madaripur DC Office (Instant information collection and sending system) and the best organisation (private) is My Outsourcing Limited (My Outsourcing Limited).

At the function, PM’s Principal Secretary Dr Ahmad Kaikaus also spoke at the event while ICT Senior Secretary NM Zeaul Alam delivered the welcome speech.

This year, the Digital Bangladesh Day is being celebrated with the theme of 'Digital Bangladesh-er Orjon, Upokrito Sokol Jonogon' (The achievement of Digital Bangladesh: All the people are benefited).