Bangladesh
Digital Bangladesh We are building Digital Bangladesh despite insults and sarcasm: Prime Minister
Own Correspondent, Dhaka, 29 July 2023: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said, "After declaring 'Digital Bangladesh' in the election manifesto of 2008, we had to hear a lot of sarcasm. Even after hearing those insults, we made Digital Bangladesh."
The Prime Minister said these things during the opening ceremony of the two-day Bangladesh Startup Summit-2023 at Hotel Intercontinental in the capital on Saturday (July 29) as the chief guest. She said, "In the election manifesto of 2008, we announced that Bangladesh will be 'Digital Bangladesh'. At that time, many sarcasms were heard. Many words were heard and said - who will use it again."
"What is digital again? At that time, there was a shortage of electricity, only 3,200 megawatts were produced. When the electricity went out, they would say that the Awami League government has come, the electricity has gone, this is digital Bangladesh. If something happened to someone, we were ridiculed as digital Bangladesh.
The head of government said, "Despite hearing that insult and sarcasm, today we have created 'Digital Bangladesh'. Of course, if you want to do politics, you have to listen to criticism if you want to run the government, that is normal. But if my goal is fixed, and if I have confidence that I have to do it, then No obstacle is no obstacle, no sarcasm is sarcasm. Sarcasm brings success, we have proved it."
Stating that 180 million mobile SIMs are used in the country of 170 million people, the Prime Minister said that the reason for SIM usage being higher than the population is that not everyone uses one phone, but also two or three phones. That's why 18 crore SIMs are being used in Bangladesh today.
She said, "My area is Tungipara, a very remote area. Where I had to hold a public meeting, I had to stand on a boat to speak. Those who came to listen to me might have been standing in a boat or standing in water - such a situation. I went to my area a few days ago. I made the road, there has been some improvement. When I came from there, I saw children on the side of the road. Everyone was holding mobile phones, taking pictures at the same time."
Sheikh Hasina said, "Startup programs should be taken to the villages" - the prime minister said that the village boys and girls should be taught. They are much more talented. They should be given a chance. If given the opportunity, they will come forward, they can become entrepreneurs."
