International Mother Language Day

Introduction: Every nation has some achievements that they can take pride. Our language day is
our national event and achievement .But the matter of pride for us is that this national event has
crossed our national boundary and become universalized. The International Mother Language
Day is the recognition of our language movement and the heroic sacrifices of the language
martyrs by the international community. Now, after the recognition, our language day is observed
globally as International Mother Language Day.

Language day: Historical background: February 21st is observed as the language day. This day is
the culmination of a serious of protest and events that took place between 1948 and 1952.After
the independence of Pakistan the ruling authority of West Pakistan recognized Urdu as the state
language of Pakistan in 1948 and tired to impose it on the Bangla-speaking majority people. Not
only that they also denied the demand of the Bangalis for the recognition of Bangla as the state
language.

In 1952 protests erupted throughout East Pakistan against the imposition of Urdu and for the
recognition of Bangla as the state language of Pakistan. The ruling authority imposed section 144
all over the country as the protest grew stronger. However, when students, politician and general
masses brought out a procession in Dhaka University area defying the section 144,the police
charged fire on the procession.As a result, Rafiq, Jabbar, Salam,Barkat;Shafiq met martyrdom.
Finally,Bangla was recognized as the state language.Since then,the day is observed throughout
the country with solemnity and due homage.

International Observance of the day:

On 17 November 1999, UNESCO, a specialized organisation of United Nations (UN) recognized

our language movement and sacrifices of the Martyrs. They declared that UNESCO would
observe the day internationally. Since 2000, The International Mother Language Day is being
observed all over the world. The recognition by the UNESCO and the observance of the day by
the international community has increased our national glory and uplifted the sacrifices of our
language martyrs. Through UNESCO recognition, our language day has got international status.

Significance of the recognition: The recognition of our language day and the proclamation of the
observance of the day internationally is very significant. UNESCOs recognition is not simply a
recognition of our language movement, but it recognizes that is the birth right of every nation or
race to speak in their own language. The proclamation also said that this recognition would help
to preserve all the languages of the world and that diversity of languages is important to maintain
cultural identity and distinction.

International Observance of the day: On 17 November 1999, UNESCO, a specialized

organisation of United Nations (UN) recognized our language movement and sacrifices of the
Martyrs. They declared that UNESCO would observe the day internationally. Since 2000, The
International Mother Language Day is being observed all over the world. The recognition by the
UNESCO and the observance of the day by the international community has increased our
national glory and uplifted the sacrifices of our language martyrs. Through UNESCO
recognition, our language day has got international status.

Significance of the recognition: The recognition of our language day and the proclamation of the
observance of the day internationally is very significant.UNESCOs recognition is not simply a
recognition of our language movement, but it recognizes that is the birth right of every nation or
race to speak in their own language.The proclamation also said that this recognition would help
to preserve all the languages of the world and that diversity of languages is important to maintain
cultural identity and distinction.

Importance of the day: Since 1952, the 21st February is observed as the language day in our
country.We remember our martyrs,their sacrifices and pay homage to the heroic souls who laid
down their lives for the cause of our mother tongue.We have erected monuments (known as
Shahid Minar) in remembrance of them and on 21 February we offer flower wreaths and stand
silent in honor of them.

However,the importance of 21st February and its observance lies elsewhere.It is a sows the seed
of our liberation war.And importantly,the language movement teaches us that we have raise for
achieving our rights, for establishing our place of honor and dignity in the world.it teaches us not
to bow down to any oppression.It also inspires us to sacrifice our most treasured thing for sake of
the country.So the importance of international Mother Language Day is very significant.

Conclusion: We are the only nation of the world to sacrifice lives for mother tongue.
International Mother Language Day is a glorious recognition of our history and our
achievement.international Mother language Day highlights the importance of linguistic
identity.We are really proud that we have achieve something that has got global acceptance

International Mother Language Day

Introduction:

The UNESCO has proclaimed February 21as the International Mother Language Day. Mother
language is a divine gift. From the holy Quran we come to know that the most merciful almighty
has bestowed a mother tongue upon each and every caste, creed and color. Mother tongue is so
important that the people of a country express their ideas, feelings emotions etc. clearly through
mother tongue.

What is International Mother Language Day:

Bangla is our mother tongue. We fought for this language. We shed blood for this. At last we won
and established this language as the state language. It took place on February 21, 1952. The
UNESCO has proclaimed February 21 as the International Mother Language Day to be observed
globally in recognition of the sacrifices of the martyrs for establishing the rightful place of
Bangla. Here lies the importance of this movement in history. The International Mother
Language Day is closely related with the dignity of Bangla as it has been internationally
recognized and the whole world is going to observe the 21st February on the Banglis' sacrifice of
blood for their mother tongue.

Former History of Mother language Day:

A Political movement in the erstwhile East Pakistan in 1952. After the formation of Pakistan in
1947, the West Pakistani rulers intended to make Urdu (spoken mostly in West Pakistan) the
national language of the whole Pakistan. The majority Bengalis were not in agreement with this
and started a movement to provide equal status for their own language, Bangla. The matter
worsened in February 1952 when the Khawza Nazimuddin, Governor of East Pakistan, reiterated
the Government position on the national language.

Historical background of international mother language day:

In 1947 Pakistan had two contents that were East Pakistan and West Pakistan. East Pakistans
majorities people were Bangali and they spoken Bangla language. On the other hand, West
Pakistanis spoken Urdu, hence it intended to make national language by President Md. Ali
Jinnah. But majority Bengalis was not in agreement with this announcement and started a
movement to provide equal status for their own language, Bangla. Therefore, February 1952
Khawza Nazimuddin Governor of East Pakistan reiterated the Government position on the
national language. Police declared section 144 which banned any sort of meeting.

Defying this, the students of Dhaka University and other political activists started a procession in
February 21st, 1952. Near the current Dhaka Medical College Hospital, police fired on the
protesters and numerous people including Abdus Salam, Rafique, Barkat, Jabbar died. The
movement spread to the whole of East Pakistan and the whole province came to a standstill.
Afterwards, the Government of Pakistan relented and gave equal status to Bangla.

This movement is thought to sow the seeds for the independence movement which resulted in the
liberation of Bangladesh in 1971.

To commemorate this movement, Shaheed Minar, a solemn and symbolic sculpture was erected
in the place of the massacre. The day is remembered as the Language day in Bangladesh and is a
national holiday. Recently, 21st February has also been declared as the International Mother
Language Day by the United Nations.

Language Martyrs' Day is a day remembered in Bangladesh for the killings of protesters seeking
official recognition for the Bengali language in 1952. When Bengal was divided in East and West
during the partition of India in 1947, West Bengal emerged as a state of India and East Bengal
became a part of Pakistan and was known as East Pakistan. As a state of Pakistan, Urdu was the
language of government in East Bengal, but the population there primarily spoke Bengali. In
reaction to this, people from East Bengal started asking the government to make Bengali an
official language of administration. But the Pakistani government of the time did not agree.
Finally, on February 21, 1952, there was a huge protest of all ages of people, irrespective of caste
and creed, with students of University of Dhaka in the lead. Police ruthlessly fired to disperse the
crowd, and many of the protesters were killed.

It was not long, however, before Bengali was given right of a official language. Since then,
February 21 has been remembered as Language Martyrs' Day in independent Bangladesh and
West Bengal, as well. The same date is observed by UNESCO as the International Mother
Language Day.

The fight for Bengali In Bangladesh

During the period 1947-1971, when Eastern Bengal (present-day Bangladesh) was part of
Pakistan, the Bengali language became the focus and foundation of the national identity of the
people of East Bengal, leading ultimately to the creation of the sovereign state of Bangladesh.
Bengali is the official language of Bangladesh, administrative and official work in Bangladesh is
carried out in Bengali.

Language Movement:

Around 1950-52, the emerging middle classes of East Bengal underwent an uprising known later
as the "Language Movement". Bangladeshis (then East Pakistanis) were initially agitated by a
decision by Central Pakistan Government to establish Urdu, a minority language spoken only by
the supposed elite class of West Pakistan, as the sole national language for all of Pakistan. At the
peak of resentment, on February 21, 1952, students (mainly of Dhaka Medical College and
University of Dhaka) and activists walked into military fire in demand of the recognition and
establishment of the Bangla language - spoken by the majority of the then Pakistani population -
as a, if not the, national language of erstwhile Pakistan. The day is revered in Bangladesh and, to
a somewhat lesser extent, in West Bengal as the Language Martyrs' Day. UNESCO decided to
observe February 21 as International Mother Language Day. The UNESCO General Conference
took a decision to that took effect on 17 November 1999 when it unanimously adopted a draft
resolution submitted by Bangladesh and co-sponsored and supported by 28 other countries.

Conclusion:

Since then this day is called the Shaheed Dibash. Every year we remember this day with
solemnity and pay them profound tribute. Now it is a great pleasure for us that this day has got
international recognition in 1999.
Bangladesh ICT and Information Technology
According to Anyakoha (1991), information technology is "the use of man made tools for the
collection, generation, communication, recording, re-management and exploitation of
information. It includes those applications and commodities, by which information is transferred,
recorded, edited, stored, manipulated or disseminated". Hawkridge (1983) describes information
technology as a revolution which has penetrated almost all fields of human activity, thus
transforming economic and social life. UNDP (2001) asserts that even if sustainable economic
growth facilitates the creation and diffusion of useful innovations, technology is not only the
result of growth but can be used to support growth and development. ICTs are credited with the
ability to transform, and deep and significant changes are expected from their widespread use in
Africa. From this stand point Africans can take maximum advantage of the new technologies
even if major challenges remain. These challenges include adapting ICTs to local conditions and
uses in developing countries, and allowing each country understand those innovations and adjust
them to their own development needs.

An information society is one that makes the best possible use of ICTs. Martin (1995) supports
this view by describing it as a society in which the quality of life, as well as prospects for social
change and economic development, depend increasingly upon information and its exploitation.
In such a society, living standards, patterns of work and leisure, the education system, and
marketplace are all influenced by advances in information and knowledge. This is evidenced by
an increasing array of information-intensive products and services (Martin, 1988).

Annan (2002) notes that the information society is a way for human capacity to be expanded,
built up, nourished, and liberated by giving people access to tools and technologies, with the
education and training to use them effectively. There is a unique opportunity to connect and
assist those living in the poorest and most isolated regions of the world. Informatization of
society is a major hurdle that most nations, especially developing countries, are encountering.
The information society or information age is a phenomenon that began after 1950, which brings
challenges as we seek to integrate and expand the universe of print and multimedia sources. The
two terms are often used to describe a cybernetic society in which there is a great dependence on
the use of computers and data transmission linkages to generate and transmit information (Bruce,
1995).

The African Information Society (AISI) document (2005) argues that Africa should build, by the
year 2010, an information society in which every man, woman, child, village, public and private
sector office has secured access to the use of computers and telecommunications media. The
objective is to provide every African with the possibility of using the communication and data
processing services available everywhere else, just like any other citizens of the world.

ICT is the backbone of any digital initiative. ICT covers the vast area of information technology,
communication technology and the telecommunication technology. ICT is also a combination of
physical backbone and intellect. Computer systems, network machineries, software, wire and
wireless connectivity systems, broadcast hardware and many other hardware and accessories are
the physical backbone. The trained human behind the backbone are the intellect. Digital
Bangladesh is an Idea that includes the IT use for management, administration and governance to
ensure transparency, accountability and answerability at all levels of society and state. To
materialize the idea of digital Bangladesh, development of countrywide backbone and expected
number of human recourses are the basic needs.

Despite having 50 years of history the government has only from 1997 started the process of
developing a national ICT strategy. In 2002 Bangladesh identified ICT as a "thrust sector" as it
represents potential for quick wins in reforms, job creation, industry growth, improving
governance and facilitating inclusion, and it has high spillover effects to other sectors. Today, in
Bangladesh, the overall IT/ITES sector is valued at USD 650 million, with export claiming 39%
($250 million) of that value. The overall IT/ITES industry has enjoyed a high growth rate of 40%
over the last five (5) years and this trend is expected to continue.

At present Information Technology (IT) is a subject of widespread interest in Bangladesh. There

are around 100 software houses, 35 data entry centres, thousands of formal and informal IT
training centres and numerous computer shops. The Government has declared IT as a thrust
sector and that computer training centre will be set up in each divisional and district headquarters
of Bangladesh. Import of computer hardware and software is now duty free, VSAT is
deregulated, high speed DDN (Digital Data Network) has been introduced.

Moreover, government has developed computer training centre each divisional and district
headquarters to build effective communication system.

One fourth of the 45 recommendations of JRC report on software export has already been
implemented; rest is in the process of implementation. A tremendous activity is going on in every
sector including e-commerce, e-governance, computer networking, Internet, web browsing, web
applications, multimedia product development etc. Some active steps and initiatives are already
there, as described below for an exposure of the present and future prospects of IT in
Bangladesh.

Telecommunication: Bangladesh has one of the lowest tele-density in Asia, with a mere 0.6 (in
India 1.5) lines per 100 people. In terms of phone connectivity, the charge of Bangladesh
Telephone and Telegraph Board (BTTB) is one of the highest in the world, approximately
US$500.00 (in India US$60) for normal single telephone line connection. However, there has
been significant improvement in services of telecommunication within last few years. Present
government is also trying to get additional telephone lines from a Canadian firm. If these
telephone lines are available in Bangladesh, most of the PC users will be able to use internet and
find a scope to build up international career.

Associations and professional bodies: The associations and professional bodies who are playing
vital role to develop the IT sector in Bangladesh are as follows:

* Bangladesh Computer Society (BCS) was formed in 1979. This is an association of the IT
Professionals.

* Bangladesh Computer Samity (BCS) was formed in 1987. This is basically an association of
Computer Vendors.
* Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services (BASIS) was formed in 1998 to
promote the interest of IT business, especially for software development and related IT services.

* Bangladesh Software Marketing and Promotions (BSMP), a private organisation, has been
formed with the view to helping the local computer programmers and promote their software.

* Bangladesh Computer Writers Association has been formed to promote the writers activities in
the country.

* Bangladesh Association for Information Technology Education (BAITE) has been formed to
promote the activities toward standardising informal IT education in the country.

Besides, the government is supported the non-resident to establish software companies in

Bangladesh. On the other hand, government is communicating with different private network
transmission companies to build optical fiber network infrastructure. Hence, this initiative will
helps to create more job for the people of Bangladesh.

Banks support: Well-trained Bangladeshi IT professionals can start their business like Data entry,
Web development, Multimedia, ISP and Medical Data Transcription services, Cybercafe and IT
Training Centre. They can easily get financial help from bank. A number of government banks
have already started credit programmes to encourage the entrepreneurs in software industry.
Some private banks are using our locally developed software too. However, due to some
constraints the outcome is not up to the expectation.

Government initiatives: The Government of Bangladesh has taken some important initiatives to
develop our IT sector. Still we are waiting to see a fruitful change in our Information Technology.
However, some remarkable steps of government are highlighted for information.

* IT has been declared as a thrust sector.

* Quick implementation of the recommendations of JRC report (a high powered committee for
software export).

* Waiving all taxes and duties from import of computer hardware and software.

* Hundred percent remittances of profit and capital gains for foreign investors without any
approval.

* BTTB's implementation of DDN service.

* Decision to link Bangladesh to global highway through submarine cable link by next two
years.

Bangladesh Computer Council: Bangladesh Computer Council is the apex body of the
government dealing with Information Technology. BCC is running according to BCC Act, 1990
as an autonomous organisation under the administrative control of the Ministry of Science &
Technology. BCC is playing various types of roles regarding the IT booming over the country.

Human resource: Human resource is the most important component for IT industry. Bangladesh
has a huge educated, unemployed youth force with the ability to read and write English. The
country can take advantage of its immense manpower to train and prepare programmers and IT
professionals. Government has already started a project to develop Computer Programmers in
Bangladesh. All the universities are offering one year post-graduate Diploma course for the
graduates. Our unemployed educated persons can take this opportunity to build their career as IT
professionals.

IT awareness: Young generation in Bangladesh is very enthusiastic and has correctly identified
IT as the future of the country. There are numerous computer clubs, computer festivals,
programming contests, web design contests, IT related seminars and discussions in many cities
of the country. There are about 16 magazines and four digital IT magazines are being published
monthly and some daily newspapers publish IT pages once/twice a week. A few of the magazines
are in collaboration with other international magazines, however, most of these are Bangladeshi
origin. There are a few interactive sites and forums. A number of business centres and cybercafes
have started up recently. Most of these business centres provide e-mail; e-mail to fax, phonefax
services and cyber cafes offer Internet browsing.

E-commerce: Recently there has been a surge in E-commerce activities in Bangladesh. There are
E-commerce related seminars and symposiums in the country almost everyday and all the major
training centres are offering courses on E-commerce. Government is now formulating laws for e-
commerce to enhance the business rapidly and smoothly.

Now a days there a

IT park and international market: Some private organisations have already started to work for
setting up IT park and IT villages in the country. Some investors are foreigners and they are very
much interested to build Bangladeshi students as IT professionals. They have already started to
commission their views. Our Bangladeshi students can take this chance and hit the international
job market in the IT field. There are lot of scopes of working and entering into the international
market. Just we have to take proper initiatives. Bangladeshi IT professionals have a good
demand in international IT job market, which has been proved by some of our BUET students.

In recent year, there are some private organizations has started to build up IT park and IT village
in the country. Besides, foreign investors are highly interested to build Bangladeshi students as
IT professionals. Hence, Bangladeshi students would able to hit the international job market in
the IT field. However, currently internet access is only available in few universities which are big
negative form of public education institute. That is why UGC has developed Bangladesh
Educational University and Research Network and establish linkage with universities to access
internet.

Conclusion: Our Bangladeshi students should be more aware about Information Technology and
they should take proper decision to build their career. Indians have changed their whole financial
position by IT. Their government also is very much serious about IT. Any way, Bangladesh has a
long way to go in a very short time to enjoy the fruits of information age. It will be only possible
when there will be political commitment with better IT infrastructure, internal network, country
domain and above all a high speed fibre optic link to the Information Superhighway
Composition-Vision 2021
Digital Bangladesh means digitalizing Bangladesh by ensuring an ICT based society where
information will be available on line and where all possible activities of the government and
other non-government or semi-government organizations will be performed using digital
technology. Making a digital Bangladesh was an election manifesto (2008) of Awami League,
one of the leading political parties in Bangladesh. In the 9th National Parliamentary election,
Awami League declared to develop Bangladesh into a digital country by the next decade.

Bangladesh is an independent country. She achieved her freedom more than 39 years ago. But
still she is burdened with many problems like poverty, over population, unemployment,
corruption, food deficit, natural calamities, power crisis etc. Considering all these, the present
government has aimed at making a Digital Bangladesh to overcome these problems. The motto
of Digital Bangladesh is to establish technology based digital governance, e-commerce, e-
agriculture, e-education, e-production, etc. emphasizing the overall development of the country
and the nation.

The benefits of Digital Bangladesh are many. If we can establish a Digital Bangladesh,
corruption will be drastically reduced. Besides, it will save peoples time and money and will
make people more enterprising and thus will reduce unemployment problem. It will connect
people with the whole world economically, politically, socially, academically and even culturally.
It will open doors for the people to improve their conditions. It will also improve banking and
financial activities. Money transfer and transaction of business could be made within seconds by
clicking the mouse of a computer. Agriculture, health, education, commerce - all these sectors
will be highly benefited by making Bangladesh a Digital one.

The year 2021 will be a landmark in the history of Bangladesh which will mark the golden
jubilee of the Bangladeshis independence. The present government is committed to freeing
Bangladesh from its current state of crisis and citizens will be able to live prosperous and happy
lives. Democracy and strong democratic institutions will be established for holding reliable
election at regular intervals, accountability the government to the people and effective parliament
and human rights will be established on a strong footing with a view to ensuring the rule of law.
Terrorism, corruption and the use of religion for politics will be stopped. The institutions of the
state will be made more effective along with the independent and strong anti-corruption
commission for curbing corruption. Social resistance to corruption will be promoted alongside
legal steps. Steps shall be taken to ensure participation of women in all spheres of national life. It
will be ensured that all citizens are equal before law and are entitled to equal protection of law.
In fact, all measures will be taken to protect Bangladesh. The visions have created the hope
among the common people which should be implemented successfully.

Vision 2021

Introduction: "Digital Bangladesh" means an ICT based modern country where there will be
adequate power supply, well-networked infrastructure, use of internet, use of open-source
software, e-banking, e-commerce and e-governance. Of late the phrase "Digital Bangladesh" has
been much talked about especially during the election campaign of the political parties targeting
the ninth parliamentary election.

Origin of Digital Vision: On the eve of the election, Bangladesh Awami League, one of the major
political parties, first declared vision 2021with the aim to turn Bangladesh into a digital country
by the next decade. More than a month ago, the Bangladesh Computer Council also organized a
computer fair with the theme "Digital Bangladesh". It refers to an e-state where all its activities
of governance, commerce, education, agriculture etc will be powered by computer and internet.
Different analyses of the electoral results have revealed that the young generation who consist of
more than one third of the voters had indeed brought this overwhelming victory for AL. With
many other reasons, implicitly it can be inferred that voters of this generation while exercising
their franchise considered party manifestos seriously. Presumably the visionary approach of AL's
manifesto, entitled 'a charter for change' might have allured the young voters much, especially
it's 'Vision 2021' which envisions 'Digital Bangladesh'.

Meaning of Digital Bangladesh: To cherish such a dream is easy, but it is too much difficult to
materialize this dream. Land phone, mobile, computer, laptop, e-magazine and diary, e-book
reader and many more tools of information technology will be available in every nook and
corner of the country. People will no more have to stand in queue to collect tickets, results etc or
to deposit and withdraw money or to buy and sell things. Broadly speaking, a digital society
ensures an ICT 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 modern technology. So, "Digital Bangladesh" must guarantee
efficient and effective use of modem ICT in all spheres of the society with a view to establishing
good governance.

Why Digital Bangladesh: Due to globalization, Bangladesh has already been connected with the
outside world. Yet In the field of ICT, our only grand success lies in Mobile telecommunication
which has brought an abrupt change in telecommunication scenario of the country. However, in
the other spheres of ICT, our achievement is 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. For this, we need to focus on the following
relevant issues:

(a) Power deficit: Latest statistics reveal that Bangladesh faces a power deficit of up to 2000 MW
against a demand of 5000 MW daily. It may be noted that for proper ICT development an
uninterrupted power supply is a must.

(b) Network infrastructure: Outside Dhaka, at present a few computer network infrastructures
have been developed so far. Apart from some educational institutes outside Dhaka, observation
finds that most of the LAN setups are Dhaka centric. This observation reveals the reality of the
digital gap even within the country.

(c) Use of internet: For the ICT development internet users of the country must be increased. In
this case our position is the worst one among the South Asian countries. Latest statistics (2007)
revealed that internet penetration in our country is only 0.3 whereas in Pakistan and India it is
7.3% and 5.3% respectively.

(d) Use of open source software: Many countries (e.g. France and Malaysia) have started to use
open source software in ICT development projects for cost effectiveness. Unfortunately in our
ICT development domain, the culture of using open source has not yet been introduced.

(e) English-literacy rate: From different sources, it has been learnt that, English literacy rate in
Bangladesh is less than one percent. In the arena of ICT English has become lingua-Franca.
Unfortunately, in this case our position is the worst in the sub-continent. For making a digital
Bangladesh by 2021, the government must address the above issues effectively and efficiently in
transparent manners. Moreover, the journey towards a digital country needs the incorporation of
the technologically solvent innovative young generation. If the leaders of our country objectively
guide this generation, they can change the nation radically.

(f) Better agricultural production: The farmers will use all types of modern motorized tools
instead of traditional equipments and their hand-driven tools to cultivate their lands. They will
have to get ample online help about producing more and more crops.

(g) Modern treatment: Patients will have to get telemedicine and tele-surgery facilities with the
use of audio and video conferencing based net. Besides, 24-hour online help will radically
change the traditional medical services.

(h) E-learning and e-commerce: All the educational and commercial institutions will come under
a good network system and the details of these institutions and their activities will be available
on websites. E-paper, digitised pen, e-book, pen drive and screen-touch tools will replace the
traditional tools for many different reasons.

How to materialise the vision: The government of the Bangladesh Awami League is very firm to
ensure 100% net students enrolment at primary level within 2021. Supply of pure drinking water
for the entire population will be ensured within 2011. Bangladesh will gain self-sufficiency in
food within 2012. Each and every house of Bangladesh will be brought under hygienic sanitation
in 2013. Moreover, within this same year Bangladesh will generate 7000 megawatt of electricity
which will be further increased to 8000 megawatt in 2015. And in 2021, 20000 megawatt of
electricity will be generated. In 2013, degree level education will be made tuition-free especially
for women. Unemployment rate will be reduced to l5% from 40% at present. Labour in
agriculture will come down to 30% from 48% at present. Labour in industry will be increased to
25% from 16% at present; in service 45% from 36% at present. Poverty rate will be reduced to
15% from 45% at present. Bangladesh will be known as a country of educated people with skills
in information technology. 85% of the population will have standard nutritional food. The poorer
section of the people will have at least 2122 calories of food. All types of contagious diseases
will be eliminated; longevity of life expectancy will increase up to 70 years. Infant mortality will
come down to 15 from 54 per thousand at present. Maternal death rate will come down to 1.5%
from 3.8%. Use of birth control methods will be increased to 80%.
Conclusion: Time has come for Bangladesh to develop her information technology and to turn
her "Digital Bangladesh". We need to bear in mind that to be away from enriched information
technology means to live like a frog living in a well. We should look at the advanced countries of
the world so that we can get modern ways and strategies from them to bring about a revolution
for our ICT based society. Like Mahathir Muhammad's Malaysia, we have to have our all-out
efforts to materialise our desired Vision-2021 for our betterment and own existence.

The role of technology of economic development in Bangladesh

Information technology is something that can bring the world in ones hand. Information
technology is a part in our life and it is essential for globe of national development. We cannot
think our modern life without information technology. It is one of the most growing industries in
the world. On the other hand, economic development helps a country to advance their
information technology. So, information technology and economic development is
interdependent.
Technology is something that can bring the world in ones hand. On the other hand economical
development helps a country to advance their technology. So technology and economic
development both are interdependent. As Bangladesh was a newly independent country when the
whole world was busy with the technological development, it was natural for her to be in a
challenging situation to cope up with the world. For this reason after achieving independence
Bangladesh recognizes the necessity of high national priority to the scientific and technological
considerations on the whole development strategy of the country. My focus of this essay is to
investigate technological usages and advancement that influenced on the economic development
of Bangladesh. To reach my goal of this essay I tried to describe the technological usages and
technological progress of Bangladesh. Bangladesh is advancing its technology in different
sectors such as agriculture, industrial products, information and communication system, energy
resources, education, security, in point of fact in every segment of our daily life is now
functioning with the help of technology. As Bangladesh is an agricultural country its main focus
has been always on the agricultural development with new technology. Bangladesh has a huge
man power so the agricultural technologies always include the major participation of human
labor in growing agricultural products. But again in the agriculture, Bangladesh is now using
many technologies for fast growing of products. Industries are all about the use of technology.

Bangladeshs industrial products are now growing with the help of developed technology.
Education is supposed to play a vital role for the economic development of a nation. So
technology and skill development is very important for the economic development of a country.

Information and communication technology (ICT) is increasingly being recognized as a powerful

enabler for economic and social development. ICT can advance economic growth, enhance
social inclusion, increase health and education services and improve governance at all levels. So
improving information and communication technology is another important thing behind the
economic development of Bangladesh.

Technological development for environment is very important for the sustainable development.
So Bangladesh is now very much aware about using technology for environmental security.
Another most important sector that needs to be under technological support is the energy
resources. Bangladesh has now many example of using technology for the energy resources. In
this essay I tried to embrace these important components of technology which are developing the
economy of Bangladesh. At the same time I also focused on enlightening whether the advance
technology is a blessing or a curse for the development of the economy of Bangladesh as
everything posses some good side and bad side. Similarly technology has also blessing and curse
towards the human life. I also tried to include the challenges that are being faced by Bangladesh
on the account of using technology for the economic development. A poor economical country of
1971 has now become one of the most important business areas. The per capita income of
Bangladesh has increased from $478 in 1973 to $1700 in 2010. The total growth rate of
Bangladesh is now 7%. With the help of technology Bangladesh has now changed its image from
a poor country and many developed countries are now interested to involve in business and
investment in Bangladesh. With the limitation of words I tried to go through all these divisions
under discussion to make it an ideal essay.

Economic development process of the countries varies with their economy. But it is technology
that is equally important to every country for the economic development.

Bangladesh as a developing country is also trying to develop its economy through the use of
technology. For the economic development Bangladesh is using technology in almost every
division such as education, security, agriculture, industry, communication and also in our daily
living commodities. But poor management of technologies shield Bangladesh behind the
advanced technological countries as the whole world is now having a race of advance
technology. On the basis of this point I will explain the role of technology in the economic
development of Bangladesh

Use of Technology in Agriculture: The farmers of Bangladesh are now working with different
technologies they are also accessing internet to know about: the fertilizers, water pumps, tractors,
harvest, and also about different other ingredients of agricultural growth. They are now also
using the fast transport system for the promotion of their products that helps the economy. The
technology of fertilizer deep placement (FDP), systems for long-term food security, with a focus
on increased crop yields, the water management techniques such as alternate wetting and drying
(AWD), a water-saving technology that lowland (paddy) rice farmers can apply to reduce water
use in irrigated fields, the Expansion of Urea Deep Placement Technology, introduce quality
agro-inputs etc. are being using for the agricultural productions.

Use of Technology in Industry: The industrial productions of Bangladesh are also developing
through the easy access of internet and transport system. With the help of foreign investors the
industries are also using many modern machines that increased the production which has been
helping our economy a lot. Shipbuilding, automobiles (assembly), insulators and sanitary wares,
telephone equipment, electrical goods, televisions, biochemical and mechanical technology etc.
all these technologies are playing remarkable role for the economic development of Bangladesh.

Bangladesh

In the past women were confined within the four walls. They were kept away from
out of home productive work. The hearth became their workplace. So, cooking,
cleaning, washing, giving birth and rearing children became their jobs. Men became
the wage earners and all other outdoor activities were their responsibilities. It is
unfortunate but true that women are still lagging behind in Bangladesh. They are
deprived of enjoying freedom. Throughout their life they have to remain dependent
on men.

There are many reasons behind the poor status of women in Bangladesh. Among them
social and religious prejudices and customs are noteworthy. All these are belittling
their position and dignity. Still the poor parents in our country think that the birth of
a girl child will add to their sufferings. Instead of sending her to school, she is married
off in her tender age. In her in-laws house she is not treated well and she is often
tortured and mistreated by her husband and others for dowry.

We must not forget that women are as important as men in society. About half of our
total population is women. So, it cannot be denied that they too possess equal rights
and duties as men. They also have ability and if they are given opportunity, they can
also work like men. It is not possible for a nation to make real progress by keeping
aloof a half of its total population. So, there is no alternative to making women
economically, socially and politically self-reliant if we really want to upgrade their
status. So, our attitude towards women should be changed and we should work at our
level best to change their social status and financial condition.
It is true that womens condition has changed somewhat during the last few decades.
At present they are playing important roles in all spheres of life. They have come out
of their four walls and are working hand in hand with men in all spheres of life. The
most important factor for women empowerment is education. Our present
government has taken proper steps in this regard. It has declared female education
free up to class 12. They should be made self-reliant by imparting to them proper
knowledge and employment.

However, at any cost we must make our women conscious of the fact that they have
the potentiality to participate in the socio-economic development of the country. If
we want to keep pace with the challenge of the new millennium, we must ensure the
participation of our women in all development work. Besides, we have to ensure their
participation in local bodies and state politics. We should remember that the
empowerment of women is a must to build up a happy and prosperous society.

Use of technology in Education: Availability of information through newspapers, magazines,

internet resources and other source are playing vital role in education. Use of modern
technologies like laboratories, scientific equipments, research, machines, communication system
etc. helps the students to generate their knowledge that help the economic development in the
long run. The Information communication technology (ICT), a very fast growing new
technological area, is entering fast in education of Bangladesh. Century decade

Information and Communication Technology: Easy availability of cellular phone, lower cost of
computers and other related technologies such as television, radio, newspaper, etc. are now in
everyones hand in Bangladesh. People are now much familiar with the information and
communication technology that is helping the economy of Bangladesh to rise. All these
technologies raise awareness and enlighten the knowledge about the international market that
helps the economy of Bangladesh to swell in International level.

Technology for energy resource: Bangladesh is now using solar energy to fulfill the demand of
electricity. For example we can see the process of using solar energy even in many houses:
Bangladesh has also signed an agreement to assist two nuclear reactors with Russias Atomic
Energy Corporation Rosatom. This is an excellent example of a country moving forward with
nuclear energy. There is also huge number of examples of using modern technologies that plays a
significant role for the economic development of Bangladesh apart from these examples.
Role of these technologies in the economic development of Bangladesh:

Technology is now exercising in every sector of the economy. From pest-resistant crops to less
wasteful food processing; from prenatal care and child health to the prevention and treatment of
diseases; from reduction of environmental contaminants to purification of water; and from more
reliable electricity to more efficient and affordable communication and transportation systems
almost every area of Bangladesh are now under technological involvement. In this section I am
going to present the role of technology in the economic development of Bangladesh:

i) Technology is enhancing the ability of the student to invent new things. Technology also helps
them to reduce time and money. Technology helps them to be familiar with the international
education system.

ii) Technology for monitoring the environment serving the country from different types of
natural disasters. People are now much aware about the coming disasters and they can take safe
steps that reduce the expenses of the overall economy of the country.

iii) We can also see the use of technology to operate energy resources that helps to produce more
products within short time and it is very much important for the economy of the country.

iv) The use of information and communication technology is now decreasing the time and
expenses of the businesses. It provides convenient situation to deal with the international market.
So it can be easily understood that information and communication technology is assisting
Bangladesh to expand the economy.

v) Technology in agricultural sector is helping Bangladesh for more yielding in every season. It
also helps to protect the crops from being wasted and also from the insects. So it is definite that
technology is developing the economy of Bangladesh as it is an agricultural country.

vi) Industry is the backbone upon which the economy of any country prevails and technology is
the blood that gives a country the flow of economic development. Many developed countries
invest in our country and they made Bangladesh familiar with different modern technology that
has been helping the economy to increase rapidly. So these are the most remarkable and common
section of Bangladesh which has the access of modern technology and that is very important for
the economic development.

The challenges of using technology for the economic development of Bangladesh:

Bangladesh as a developing country has to face different challenges while using technology for
the economic development. For example; corruption, inflation, poverty, inefficient government
bureaucracy, policy instability, inadequate supply of infrastructure, access to financing, tax
regulation, crime and theft, poor public health, poor work ethic in national labor force etc. are
some of the main challenges that are being faced by Bangladesh. Here I am going to elaborate
these challenges below:

i) The existing services and apparel only make up a small percentage of the economy.
Bangladesh cannot afford the high cost of finance and face limited access of long
term financial options for technology.
ii) Largely unskilled labors are unable to use the modern technologies and limited
spending on education has led to a decline in the quality of education.
iii) Political instability and safety risks are a barrier to allow the technological
environment.

iv) Another major challenge of ensuring technology is the slow pace of reform due to
government bureaucracy and lack of alignment of policies at various levels of government.

v) A high level of corruption, even within the judiciary, undermines investor sconfidence
of using technological equipments. So these are some of the major problems that are being
appeared in the use of technology for the economic development of Bangladesh.
Negative Effects of Using Technology:

Technology brought us both blessings and curse. The first and foremost problem of using
technology is the decreasing number of engaging manpower in the industries that causes
unemployment as it made all the works easy, reduces the time and can produce huge high quality
products. The information technology causes different types of crime and these criminals are
most of the time remain out of reach. Technology in education misguided the students in
different filthy activities. Technologies in agriculture also encourage the people to use injurious
elements for rapid growth of foods and others. Different modern technologies are also creating
harmful effect over the environment. Technologies are influencing the people to misuse the
energy resources.

Possible Recommendations:

There are also many other negative effects that are causing through the technology. So the
government as well as the common people should be much aware about the access of technology.
Some strict rules and laws should be made about the use of technology. A National Science and
Technology Policy has recently been formulated and adopted by the Government. Proper
monitoring system should be developed to ensure the safety of using technologies. Regular
follow up of news about the harmful effects of technology should also be ensured by the
government. In addition complete awareness of the whole society is required to reduce the
negative effects of technology.

Conclusion:

Technology brought Bangladesh towards a new floor with lots of blessings. At the same time it
also brought some curse for the society and people of Bangladesh. But in total technology is very
much important for the economic development of the country. The role of technology in the
economic development of Bangladesh is like a guardian angel.