DHAKA, June 27, 2021 (BSS)- Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud today said a decision has been taken to launch an education channel of Bangladesh Television (BTV) soon to expand the distant learning activities of students across the country.
 
“The students are being affected to a some extend due to not attending classes normally though lessons have been going on online and through television for a long time during the COVID 19 epidemic. To cope with losses, we on behalf of the ministry and the Bangladesh Television have taken a decision to introduce an education channel of BTV as soon as possible,” he said.
 
The minister stated this while addressing the ‘PIB-a2i Mass Media Award-2021’ giving ceremony at an auditorium of Press Institute of Bangladesh (PIB).
 
State Minister for Information and Communication Technology Division Zunaid Ahmed Palak, State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Dr Murad Hasan, Information and Broadcasting Secretary Md Mokbul Hossain and A2I Project Director Dr Md Abdul Mannan, addressed the function as special guests with PIB Director General Zafar Wazed in the chair.
 
Hasan said today’s world is dependent on information technology and the growth, progress and development of a nation depends on how well educated it is in information technology. “The country moves ahead despite the COVID19 pandemic and the main reason of the forwarding is that we have been able to utilize the information technology under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina,” he added.
 
He said the Premier has kept the entire government machineries fully operative amid the lockdown and shutdowns across the country.
 
“The Prime Minister attends Cabinet meeting virtually and I myself didn’t find any slightest difference when she (the Premier) was present in person and now when she is present virtually. She also joins at ECNEC (Executive Committee of the National Economic Council) meeting virtually,” said Hasan, also Awami League joint general secretary.
 
He said it is now a regular incident of sitting virtual court. This is how the country is forwarding and no work has been stopped, everything is going on, he added.
 
The minister said, “It is only possible for the digitalization. I would like to extend my gratitude to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as Bangladesh becomes digital under her leadership. I also express my gratitude to the Prime Minister’s ICT affairs advisor and her (the Premier) worthy son and Bangabandhu’s grandson Sajeeb Wazed Joy as the consciousness of digital Bangladesh came from his idea.”
 
He also extended his thanks to Zunaid Ahmed Palak and his team to implement this.
 
He said there is also no alternative to ‘digital literacy’ in journalism. For this, e-literacy training will begin soon across the country including Dhaka and Chattogram, he added.
 
Palak said the respect of the country has been increased across the globe as Bangladesh becomes digital.
 
Murad said the works of about 38 lakh files have been completed through e-filing during the last 15 months.
 
Mokbul, in his speech, said the Information and Broadcasting Ministry is working to inform the every facility of Digital Bangladesh to the people.
 
Seven journalists have been awarded in different categories in the function. The awardees are Sadekur Rahman of the daily Jobabdihi, Jashim Uddin Harun of the daily Financial Express, Al Mamun of Bangla Vision, Shuibul Islam of the daily Sylhet Mirror, Md Mostafizur Rahman of Bangladesh Betar, Solaiman Hazari of banglanews24.com and Anjuman Laila of Channel-i.