The world for people of remote areas in the northern district, Panchagarh, has changed in just 15 years. They are now enjoying cashless services, which makes life much easier. People living in remote areas of Panchagarh are utilising the opportunities of ‘Digital Bangladesh’, a campaign initiated by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in 2009. The success of transforming Bangladesh into ‘Digital Bangladesh’ has created the solid ground to move towards a ‘Smart Bangladesh’, which was announced by the Prime Minister recently. The government has set four bases — smart citizens, smart economy, smart government and smart society — to make the country 'Smart Bangladesh'. Read:Daily transaction of MFS crosses Tk3200 crore: BB The aim: every citizen will be skilled in using technology, economic activities will run through using technology, and the government will be technologically smart. What was unthinkable before 2009 is now the reality for people in remote Panchagarh, as they are getting over 20 important services at home without any hassle from union parishads. While visiting the Panchagarh Sadar Union Parishad complex, local businessman Abdullah Al Faruque, who is a beneficiary, said that he has received his required trade license by just providing his NID number. “This cashless system is facilitating any person to get his/her desired document by just providing the NID number to the system as the officials can easily verify all relevant information,” he said. The concerned official provided him the trade license within 2-3 minutes after matching the required information from his NID. Read: MFS transactions record breached again in April; number of accounts now 26.5 crore “We’ve eliminated waste of time and money which was unavoidable in the past,” Faruque said. This transformation began more than 14 years back when the Prime Minister envisioned advancing the country into a developed one by 2041. Taking advantage of the Digital Bangladesh initiative, Panchagarh district administration tookthe measures to make their services technology dependent. Digital transactions are now being used to provide services, which have reduced time, cost and travel difficulties alongside offering better services. Due to initiatives of the Awami League government, these necessary services are being availed quickly and MFS (mobile financial service) has also made it easier. As a result, revenues of the government have increased, the hassles have been reduced, and the desired service has become available. Read more: BFIU suspends cash out from 230 MFS accounts over transactions through hundi Latifa Banu, another beneficiary, said that she has been receiving maternity allowance over last two years and collecting the allowance from the UP for one-and-a-half years. “Earlier, I had to go to different shops, but now, I am just providing my fingerprint and receiving my allowance easily from the UP centre,” she said. Halima Begum, who came to Panchagarh Sadar Union Parishad to collect the citizenship certificate, said that it was not so easy before. She mentioned that after obtaining a certificate from the Union Parishad, there was the trouble of getting signatures on it. A person had to come to collect his/her certificate. “Now, if you apply with the number of the NID card, the signed certificate will be issued. I like this system,” she said. Read more: Budget will help to build Smart Bangladesh: Speakers Panchagarh entered the cashless era when this service was first introduced in the Tirnoihat union of Tetulia. With this, the union parishad of the upazila was on its way to become ‘Smart Bangladesh’. Cashless services were later introduced to other UPs. The beneficiaries can avail 20 services easily from there. People are now getting the services by visiting the uniontax.gov.bd website from the comfort of their homes. Deputy Commissioner Md. Jahurul Islam said that over 70,000 people of 43 union parishads and three municipalities in the district have received services from uniontax.gov.bd and pouroseba.gov.bd platforms. An entrepreneur of Union Digital Center said that online service was launched experimentally in Tetulia upazila in the fiscal year 2019-20, but on January 6 this year, the service started in Tirnoihat UP of Tetulia upazila through the inauguration of cashless service. Before introducing the platform, any service seeker had to visit the union parishad three times, requiring 7-15 days, on average. But, in the digital and cashless system, he/she doesn’t even need to visit UP. Read more: Budget is inconsistent with goals of Smart Bangladesh: Speakers The deputy commissioner said that after the introduction of the Digital Union Cashless Service, revenue is being deposited directly into the UP’s bank account. He said the local government system is strengthened through cashless services and this is another step towards the making of ‘Smart Bangladesh’.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has once again urged the people  not to vote for BNP-Jamaat nexus in Bangladesh's next general election as they will just ruin the country. “They (BNP-Jamaat) will just destroy the country, nothing else. So, make it sure that BNP-Jamaat must not come to power again,” she said. The prime minister made the call on Sunday (May 07, 2023) while addressing a civic reception accorded to her by Bangladeshi expatriates in the UK at London Marriott Hotel. She said that BNP-Jamaat alliance is just a bunch of killers, thieves and corrupts. Read More: Khulna city polls: Miscreants attack BNP leader Kaisar’s house, threaten not to join election “So people should remain cautious and must not cast their votes for them,” she said.  Hasina, the chief of the ruling Awami League, expressed hope that people of the country will give their verdict in favour of Awami League in the next general election. “Inshallah people will vote for us in the next election to setve them one more time,” she said. She said that BNP-Jamaat nexus siphoned off money and put the country on the verge of destruction. Read More: BNP leaders losing their mind over world's praise for Bangladesh: Hasan Mahmud “How could people cast their votes for them,” she wondered. She said that Tarique Rahman (BNP vice chairman) has been convicted of corruption and the government has been able to bring back some Tk 40 crore that was smuggled by Koko ( late son of BNP leader Khaleda Zia). Reiterating her determination to build a developed and prosperous Bangladesh, Hasina said, “Bangladesh will be a smart Bangladesh by 2041. We have formulated Delta 2100 plan. We have to take the country forward.” She said that there will be no homeless, landless people in the country. Read More: BNP burning over PM's success on tours: Hasan Mahmud “Awami League works for the welfare of people. No person in Bangladesh will remain without food," she said. Criticising BNP leaders including Tarique , the PM said, "Today, where do you get the courage to call us vote thieves?" She said that Tarique Zia was a vote thief, and his mother ( Khaleda Zia) too. PM Hasina said that Awami League did not come to power by rigging the votes of the people. Read More: BNP-Jamaat protesters refuse PM Hasina's invite to meet her in hotel: Official “Awami League always fights for the rights of the people; Awami League has come to power after being elected by thecpeople. Awami League never grabbed or stole power,” she said. Hasina asked the BNP leaders to reflect on how many parties participated in the February 15, 1996 election and how many votes were cast. Awami League president said that the people of the country are now aware enough about their right to vote. "We have made the people aware.” The prime minister said that no one has anything to say about the fairness of the 2008 election that was won by the Awami League-led alliance. Read More: BNP, Ganatantra Mancha meeting held on future of anti-govt movement “What is the result of that election? How many seats did BNP's 20-party alliance get? The 20-party coalition won 29 seats in the election and 1 in a by-election, totaling 30 seats. And the remaining seat is Awami League-led alliance. We got it all. Where is their position among the people that they jump so much?” She briefly described various development programmes of the government that have been taken in the last 14 years.  

Ruling Awami League MP Meher Afroz Chumki today (April 09, 2023) said no one in Bangladesh is now starving. “People of the country do not want panta rice any more, they don’t go door to door and beg,” she said. The MP said this during a discussion on the 50th anniversary of the National Parliament. Chumki said that poverty has disappeared from Bangladesh.  Read More: Poverty forces Thakurgaon day-labourer to put 7-month-old baby girl up for sale  “We don't deny that prices have been going up. People are suffering all over the world. They are spending money after a lot of consideration. But is there any person in Bangladesh without food? We can proudly say that the people of Bangladesh are not going without food. People do not want panta rice any more, today they want good food and clothes.  The country is self-sufficient today,” she said. Saying that Sheikh Hasina is one of the top global leaders in women's empowerment, Chumki added that the prime minister has appeared for question and answer in parliament for bringing accountability. Expressing determination to move forward while facing conspiracy, Chumki said this is not 1975, this is 2023. “Country is on track to become Smart Bangladesh in 2041. No one can get away with conspiracy here. We will move forward.”  “Why do we need to seek votes? Because, after killing Bangabandhu, a generation grew up in Bangladesh with wrong and distorted history. They do not know the history of Bangabandhu, they do not know the history of this country,” she said. Read More: Bangladesh Poverty Watch Report 2022 launched; regular monitoring of progress emphasized She mentioned that some intellectuals have forgotten that on the eve of victory, intellectuals were killed by the Pakistani army and their collaborators so that this country fails to move forward.  The ruling party MP said that with “false information and exploiting a child by paying him just Tk 10, a section of people have mocked the independence of the country.”

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Saturday said Bangladesh wants to be the manufacturing hub of the world and welcomes all to be a part of the smart Bangladesh. 'We invite you to join us in our development journey for mutual benefits," he told the global participants at Bangladesh Business Summit 2023 in Dhaka. Momen said Bangladesh Business Summit is a testament to the entrepreneurial spirit of the nation, and it showcases the immense potential and opportunities that Bangladesh has to offer to the world. "We have spirit, we have the Initiatives and we can do, sky is our limit. We are committed to move Bangladesh from “Digital Bangladesh” to  Smart Bangladesh," he said. To achieve the goal of Smart Bangladesh by 2041, Momen said they are creating smart labor force, smart students, smart productive capacity, smart infrastructure, smart government, smart rules and regulations and smart people. Also Read: Find ways to bring commodity prices to a normal level: PM tells business leaders "Let us continue to work together to unleash the full potential of Bangladesh and create a prosperous future for our people and the world," said the Foreign Minister. The apex trade body of the country, FBCCI, is arranging this summit on the 50th anniversary of its founding. The Bangladesh Business Summit is an excellent opportunity to showcase potential and to attract more foreign investment, Momen said. "Our country's strategic location, vibrant culture, young and resourceful people plus stable and business friendly government make us an attractive destination for investment," he said. "I repeat we have a young and educated workforce, a strong legal framework, and a government that is committed to creating an enabling environment for business to grow. Therefore, I welcome you all to invest and be a winner," Momen mentioned.  

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday said her government wants to turn Bangladesh into a developed country with income per capita hitting at least $12,000 by 2041. "We want to build Bangladesh as a developed country by 2041. We have been able to raise our per capita income $2824. But we don't want to remain stagnant at this stage, rather want to move forward in phases. Our goal is to attain at least $12,000 per capita income by 2041," she said. The premier was addressing the annual conference of Bangladesh Administrative Service Association (BASA) at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC) here. Sheikh Hasina said now Bangladesh is the 35th largest economy in the world as the country has already jumped up five steps, which is not a small matter. “But keep it in mind that the faster you move forward, the more conspiracy and plots you will face,” she added. Noting that many had not wanted Bangladesh to achieve independence, she said, “So, many don't like our progress. Those who had not supported us during our liberation war now can think that we (Bangladesh) are moving ahead defying them.”   She described herself as a dedicated person to serve the people. “I’ve come (in power) not to enjoy the power rather to give something to the people,” she added. Mentioning that her government made the country as Digital Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina said they have now announced that the country would be built as developed, prosperous and Smart Bangladesh by 2041. In Smart Bangladesh, there would be a smart population equipped with IT knowledge, smart economy and smart government (means e-governance), she added. Read more: AL never considers what it gets in return of working for the people: PM Hasina The Prime Minister thanked the government officers and employees as the country is marching forward due to their sincere works. “Today, Bangladesh has been able to move forward. The wheels of our economy remained moving even during the Covid-19 pandemic. So, I would like to thank you all. It has been possible because everyone worked with sincerity,” she said.   State Minister for the Public Administration Ministry Farhad Hossain, Cabinet Secretary Mahbub Hossain and PM's Principal Secretary M Tofazzel Hossain Miah also spoke at the event. BASA President and also Shipping Secretary Md Mostafa Kamal delivered the welcome speech, while BASA secretary general and also additional secretary of Industries Ministry SM Alam gave the vote of thanks. Read more: Far-right and far-left side with BNP to unseat govt: PM Hasina

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday expressed firm conviction to build the country as developed, prosperous and smart Bangladesh by 2041 to repay the blood debt of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. “He had paid the debt (of people’s love towards him) by his blood. Now it’s our turn to repay his blood debt. And we’ll be able to repay the blood debt when every homeless person gets home and we can make the country a developed and prosperous one by ensuring food, cloth, home, healthcare and education  for the people of Bangladesh,” she said. The premier said this while participating in the discussion on a resolution brought in the House to pay tribute to Bangabandhu and take a vow for building his dream ‘Sonar Bangla (Golden Bengal), marking his historic Homecoming Day after the 1971 Liberation War. Awami League lawmaker Mostafizur Rahman (Dinajpur-5) placed the resolution under the section 147 of the Rules of Procedure, which was adopted unanimously by a voice vote following the discussion over the proposal.  Hasina said the people of Bangladesh had taken up arms in their hands responding to the call of the Father of the Nation and shed their blood and made the country an independent one. So, the Father of the Nation in his historic speech delivered in then Race Course maidan returning home on January 10, 1972 promised to repay the debt of this Bengali nation’s love toward him anyhow even with his blood, she said adding that he repaid the debt with his blood. The PM said her government has successfully implemented its Vision-2021 and turned the country into a developing country in 2021 during the golden jubilee of the country’s independence and the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation. She said her government has implemented the pledges whatever her party Awami League made in the 2008, 2014 and 2018 election manifestos.  “We’ll build a develop-prosperous-golden Bangladesh by 2041 after completing Bangladesh's graduation into a developing country by 2026,” she said. Read more: Homecoming Day of Bangabandhu: PM pays tribute at Dhanmondi-32 Noting that her government turned the country into a Digital Bangladesh, the premier said, “We’ll build the country as a hunger-poverty-free Sonar Bangla as dreamt by the Father of the Nation, which would be smart Bangladesh having the population equipped with modern technological knowledge. Then it would be repayment of the blood debt of the Father of the Nation,” she added.  Hasina elaborated the lifelong struggles and sacrifices of the Father of the Nation for establishing an independent Bangladesh and bringing smiles on the faces of the people. AL lawmakers Amir Hossain Amu, Tofail Ahmed, Matia Chowdhury, Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim, Engineer Mosharraf Hossain, advocate Qamrul Islam and Nurul Islam Nahid, Jatiya Party MPs Kazi Firoz Rashid, Sayed Abu Hossain and Rowshan Ara Mannan, Jasod lawmaker Hasanul Haq Inu and Workers Party lawmaker Rashed Khan Menon joined the discussion. In the resolution, Mostafizur Rahman said, "Parliament is in the opinion that the historic homecoming of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on January 10 is a special glorious day in the national life of Bengalis. Sheikh Mujib, the undisputed leader of Bengalis, returned home on January 10, 1972 after being freed from Pakistan's captivity 24 days after the victory in the Liberation War……. On this day, let us remember the greatest Bengali of all time and Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and take a firm oath for building the golden Bengal as dreamt by him in line with the spirit of the Liberation War by bearing his ideology in hearts.” The proposal also reads that the Pakistanis had taken various plans to kill Bangabandhu during his incarceration at that time. Bangabandhu was not only tortured, but also taken to the gallows. But the Pakistani rulers had to bow down ultimately to the popularity of Bangabandhu at home and abroad, and his indomitable courage. In the absence of Bangabandhu, the Bengali nation continued the bloody war following the path and ideology of Bangabandhu. On December 16, 1971, the Pakistani occupation forces were forced to surrender, it said. Read more: PM thanks JaPa for playing positive role in parliamentary democracy Bangabandhu returned to the country on January 10, 1972 via London and New Delhi after being freed from Pakistan prison. On that day, he returned to an independent  and sovereign country. 10th January is a special day in the life of the Bengali nation, it added.

In the run up to the 2008 national election, a look at the election manifestos of the two major political parties — Bangladesh Awami League and Bangladesh Nationalist Party — would reveal a lack of vision on BNP’s part in terms of infusing a sense of transformation on the country’s digital landscape. While BNP’s manifesto revolved around “save country, save people”,  something never-before communicated and now proven far ahead of time came from AL. A pledge of Digital Bangladesh, a concept unheard of in the youngest nation in South Asia, back then seemed to resonate with the countrymen well. AL won the election with an unprecedented majority in 2008. Before that, in the completely analog country, expensive internet and costly talk time for mobile users defined the ambit of digitization. But since 2009, began a silent revolution that brought in real and measurable gains on the front of the digital landscape. With digital centers expanded at the grassroots, people were getting public services at fingertips, freelancers were making money from outsourcing, while a record rise in internet and mobile users emerged as a key success in the process. Read: ‘The energy and magnetism in Sheikh Mujib’s voice in 1972 made me understand why he was a leader of the people’ The introduction of mobile financial services (MFS), fueled by rapid rise in terms of users, already grabbed global attention while distribution of social safety net schemes through MFS benefited the countrymen. At the height of Covid-19 pandemic, in those tumultuous times, the successful distribution of safety schemes for affected people through MFS stands as a shining testament to the country’s strength achieved over the years. And the emergence of Covid-19 posed as a big threat for the country’s digital might with lockdowns imposed across the country. Now a growing global acclamation for Bangladesh’s success in Covid-19 management stands reflective of the strength the country achieved so far. When schools to colleges and universities remained closed, distance learning saved the day for students, thanks to the expansion of internet. No wonder the country now even boasts of having a satellite of its own, a dream placed by the founding father of the nation after the country’s independence but realized decades later through the hands of her daughter and grandson. From the Science and Technology Affairs Subcommittee, a key affiliate body of Awami League, we gathered a pool of doctors and opened a round-the-clock health helpline that provided guidance for patients calling to seek medication help. Architect of Digital Bangladesh “My son Sajeeb Wazed gave me lessons on using smartphones and operation of computers” is what AL chief Sheikh Hasina revealed to public to give a hint at the role of her son Sajeeb Wazed, who has been a key enabler for all the accomplishments on the digital front. As the Prime Minister’s ICT Adviser, Sajeeb Wazed has presided over the penetration of GenNext InfoTech into all spheres of life – from online schooling to digital monetary transactions. Read: Sheikh Russel: A light extinguished by demons Bangladesh got the best of that digital transformation during the coronavirus catastrophe across the world. It managed to keep its economy going through a wide spectrum of digital activities, including telemedicine, virtual court, and delivering money to the poor through mobile platforms and e-commerce. Its better growth trajectory during Covid-19 than its bigger neighbours owes much to this all-encompassing digitalisation. A University of Texas graduate in Computer Engineering and a Harvard post-graduate in Public Administration, Sajeeb Wazed is credited with the milestone the country achieved with regards to technological advancement. Smart Bangladesh, Next Vision With the next national election almost a year away, AL has floated a new course of charter before the nation once more and a target has been set to transform the country into a smart one. “We want to go for a cashless society,” pledged Sajeeb Wazed recently before a group of young change-makers. This pledge marks a pointer to a next course of action plan for the party, a step that would surely help the country’s pursuit to become a developed nation by 2041. A month back Awami League arranged the first international conference of its kind in the country that saw hundreds of prominent experts submit their research papers with a focus on the next course of work required in all key sectors to adapt to the fourth industrial revolution. The overwhelming response from a host of relevant global experts with a message from the IEEE president welcoming the initiative also symbolizes the relevance of the party’s initiative. A top expert panel of academics analyzed those papers and we would submit a set of recommendations to our party chief. Digital Bangladesh kicked off upgradation of fundamentals or a launching pad towards a developed nation, and the vision of Smart Bangladesh is all about taking the nation to a new height — a developed one. The writer is Science and Technology Affairs Secretary, Bangladesh Awami League.

Awami League is focusing on youth and “smart” leadership – with the determination to achieve its ‘Smart Bangladesh’ goal – by confronting conspiracies at home and abroad. Some senior leaders said the 22nd National Council of Awami League is going to present a smart, organised and acceptable leadership to face the imminent challenges. Awami League will hold its National Council at the historic Suhrawardy Udyan on December 24. Read more: Bangladesh has changed a lot under Awami League govt: PM Hasina  The main theme of this year’s council is: “Development journey under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina with the determination to build a developed, prosperous and smart Bangladesh of Bangabandhu’s dream”. According to party sources, the council usually goes on for two days but this time, it will be held for a day. Keeping in mind the global recession, the party has taken this initiative of curtailing the programme. The budget of the 21st AL National Council was Tk 3.43 crore while the budget for this year’s council is a reduced Tk 3.13 crore. About 7,000 councillors and lakhs of delegates will participate in this year’s National Council. The party started distributing councillor and delegate cards from Wednesday. The first session will begin on December 24 at 10:30 am. Leaders and activists will come to Suhrawardy Udyan early in the morning. There will be a break for lunch and prayers. Party sources said that Awami League will form its executive committee, taking into consideration the 12th national election scheduled for early 2024. Those who will assume leadership will confront all domestic and foreign conspiracies and work to implement the election manifesto of Awami League. Read more: Awami League never wasted a single taka of Bangladesh’s money: PM Besides, the leaders will also work to highlight the development and achievements of the government to the countrymen. Awami League intends to go for leaders from among honest, courageous, idealistic and tested activists. Advocate Jahangir Kabir Nanak, a member of the presidium of the party, said that this council is committed to ensuring a smart Bangladesh by 2041. Among the former leaders of Chhatra League, those who have demonstrated maturity in politics and are loyal to the party can be chosen. He also said the party will give efforts to fulfil the quota of women in leadership. Saying that Awami League is a “smart party”, Joint General Secretary and Information Minister Hasan Mahmud said the ruling party is always “the first to think what needs to be done to advance the nation.” “Awami League has established Digital Bangladesh. Now, it will also ensure Smart Bangladesh. Our country lagged behind for decades during the first, second and third industrial revolutions, but now we are not behind in the fourth industrial revolution under the leadership of Bangabandhu’s daughter Sheikh Hasina,” he also said. Read more: Awami League is fighting to institutionalise democracy: Quader Joint General Secretary of Awami League, AFM Bahauddin Nasim, said that the 12th national election will be held after one year. “Awami League will have a strong leadership, consisting the young and elderly, who can work for the party along with Sheikh Hasina to build a smart Bangladesh,” he said. Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader told UNB that every council brings new faces to lead the party. This trend will continue in this council as well, he said. Ahead of the 22nd National Council of Awami League, the last executive meeting of the current committee will be held today at 6 pm at Ganabhaban, the official residence of party president and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Obaidul Quader requested the invited members of the central executive committee of Awami League to attend the meeting in accordance with the health protection rules. A spectacular stage is being built in the shape of a boat at Suhrawardy Udyan. This will include the development and progress of the current government. The stage is 80 feet long and 44 feet wide. There will be five gates for entry. One of these is a VIP gate, while the other four are for councillors. The gates will be opened for councillors and delegates from 7 am.

Information Minister Hasan Mahmud said on Friday that the Victory Day's vow is to build a fully developed country by 2041 and transform Digital Bangladesh into Smart Bangladesh by suppressing all anti-national, anti-independence forces and conspiracies, including BNP. He was speaking to the reporters after placing a wreath at the portrait of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at Bangabandhu Memorial Museum in the city's Dhanmondi, marking the country’s Victory Day. Read more: PM releases postage stamp on Victory Day He also said all the leaders of BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami, the descendants of who were anti-liberation evil-forces, are engaged in anti-national conspiracy. “When the country is moving forward, even after five decades of independence, the anti-independence forces are plotting various conspiracies against the country,” Hasan said. “They (BNP) are giving wrong information about the country to foreigners and are involved in conspiracies at home and abroad.” Paying respect to the martyrs of the liberation war, Hasan Mahmud said the dreams that Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman that led the struggle for the country's independence, could not be realized due to his assassination on August 15, 1975. Read more: President, PM witness Victory Day parade Under the leadership of Bangabandhu's daughter, Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh has made incredible progress in the last 14 years on the way to fulfilling the dream of Bangabandhu, he added. “We graduated into a middle-income country and became self-sufficient in food.”

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today (December 12, 2022) announced the “Smart Bangladesh” by 2041 goal. “We will make Bangladesh a developed country by 2041, and that Bangladesh will be Smart Bangladesh,” she said. The PM made the announcement while attending the inaugural programme of ‘Digital Bangladesh Day 2022’ – giving away prizes among winners of an online quiz competition. The ICT Division arranged the programme at Bangabandhu International Conference Center (BICC) with the theme ‘Advanced Technology Inclusive Development’. Read more: We are promoting grassroots arts and culture: PM Hasina Sheikh Hasina said that from Digital Bangladesh, the country will be transformed into Smart Bangladesh. She also said that the government has set four bases to realise the Smart Bangladesh goal. These are: Smart Citizen, Smart Economy, Smart Government and Smart Society. Sheikh Hasina said that the government also formulated the Delta Plan 2100 to outline the development path of the country apart from Vision 2041. The Prime Minister hoped that the youths will take the country forward and will groom themselves as smart citizens to become soldiers for the 2041 goal. Read more: Next general election to be held first week of 2024: PM Hasina announces at Cox’s Bazar rally State Minister for ICT Division Zunaid Ahmed Palak, Parliamentary Standing Committee on Post, Telecommunication and ICT Ministry Chairman AKM RahmatUllah, and ICT Division Senior Secretary NM Zeaul Alam also spoke at the programme.