First ever National ICT Day celebrated

1628

DHAKA, Dec 12, 2017 (BSS) – The government today celebrated the first ever National Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Day to make its Digital Bangladesh concept a memorable one.

The day’s programme began with placing of wreaths at the portrait of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at Dhanmandi-32 at 7.30 am.

A discussion was held in the afternoon at Bangabandhu International Conference Center. On the occasion, National Information and Communication Technology Award-2017 was given to 15 persons in 12 categories for their contribution to expanding ICT sector in the country.

Jatiya Sangsad Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury addressed the function as the chief guest while State Minister for ICT Division Zunaid Ahmed Palak, Chairman of Parliamentary Standing Committee on ICT Division Imran Ahmed and ICT Secretary Subir Kishore Choudhury, among others, addressed it.

Educationist and writer Professor Zafar Iqbal was conferred with life-time honor while special honor (posthumous) was given to late mayor of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Annisul Huq for making development works using ICT.

Country’s first online newspaper bdnews24.com Editor-in-Chief Toufique Imrose Khalidi received a special recognition of his contributions to the field of ICT.

Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) attained the award in education, Directorate General of Health Services Dr Abul Kalam Azad in health, Deputy Chief Reporter of Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) Mahmudul Hasan Raju in media (online), Leads Corporation Limited and Leadsoft Bangladesh Limited Managing Director Sheikh Abdul Aziz in software innovation.

Addressing on the occasion, Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury said Digital Bangladesh concept does not remain as merely a dream rather it has been turned into reality as the country has achieved a remarkable progress in the information and communication technology (ICT) that has been praised in home and aboard.

Highlighting different initiatives taken by the government, she said the free flow of information has been influencing the world while Bangladesh is also moving fast utilizing the ICT in every sector.

The JS Speaker thanked Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her ICT Adviser Sajeeb Wazed Joy for spearheading the Digital Bangladesh concept to bring the outstanding achievement in the sector.

Palak said the then Awami League President Sheikh Hasina declared her Vision 2021 and Digital Bangladesh concepts. He said since Awami League government assumed office in 2009, the country has been witnessing a massive technological advancement across the country.

Earlier, a colorful procession was brought out from National Museum premises in the morning which culminated at Central Shaheed Minar.

Palak inaugurated it while Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Prof Md Akhtaruzzman and ICT Division Secretary Subir Kishore Choudhury also joined the procession.

An online programming contest was organized by Young Bangla, youth platform of Centre for Research and Information (CRI), with the initiative from ICT Division, across the country.