Dr. Forqan Uddin Ahmed

Many words are preceded by the alphabet ‘h’. I want to mention three words which are head, hands and heart. Among the human body organs, these three organs are very much vital. It they are vibrant, a man can proceed with any mission & challenge. He/she becomes vision oriented and get exposure in life and achieve the desired goals in life. Not one’s achievement, but also the nation is achieved with their contribution. In our country, there are people who in their area of business apply the above mentioned qualities of three organs and serve the nation. There are persons by nature open and silent minded but engage themselves for future betterment of nation. They may not be treated as legend in their respective area of work but their thinking and good performance lead a nation towards innovation of advancement. On ICT and computer world, Mustafa Jabbar, Abdul Kader, Nazimuddin Mostan and some others with their innovative idea created a very sharp and shining area named ICT and computer. In 1987, Mostafa Jabbar’s the Bengali publication ‘Anondo Potro’ came to light with manual alphabets. This was the start in the initial stage. Following the example created by Mostafa Jabbar, Bengali publication sector started its journey to flourish by computers with the help of offset press. Before that, the publication of the ‘Dhaka Courier’ lead a wide space of inspiration. People were very much eager to its minimum expenditure & speedy publication. As result, computer industry gets a market. At that time, Macintosh computer the desktop friendly publication was very highly priced item and it was beyond the purchase range of general people. With the gradual increase of technology its capacity, demand, market price etc. became the subject of daily discussion. In late 90’s, world university press, Dhaka University publication department introduced computer compose & the alternative of offset printing plate by tracing papers. The then press manager and present chairman, Bangladesh Liberation War Trust, Dr. Azad had his bold steps which was very amazing. In the middle of 80’s computer’s use, technologies and their future projects became a written subject in addition to higher and institutional education. The famous scientist, Sharfuddin Abdullah Al Muti had the initiative to bring it to Bengali easy mode.
To some extent, the publication of the then Progoti Songho of Soviet Union influenced the sector. Though it is in the dark today, many of we hesitate to accept the credibility of organization. In 80’s, one technology based publication named karigor became popular in our country. During the time of Ershad government Bangladesh Computer Council was formed. Some local experts living in abroad started their job for its development. Dr. Abdullah Al Muti had his gossips with the experts in a project office located in UN clinics 2nd flood, Dhanmondi. Mr. Abdul Kader was the founder of the journal named computer Jagot. At that time Mr. Kader was very serious for the development of ICT and computer and the published events on computer took the place of interest among the youths. The ‘Computer Jagot’ as a popular magazine covered many news and reports on computer.Moreover it had a significant role to make it attractive by its advertisement and different parts and machineries of computers. Mr. Kader wanted to bring it to common people. Mr. Nazimuddin Mustan, a senior journalist of Ittefaq was close associate of Mr. Kader. At that time Bhuiyan Inam Lenin tried to highlight and project the fundamentals and basics of computers through his writings. Later on, he published ‘Computer Bichitra’. So far, Mr. Mustan & Lenin helped much to materialize the dream of Mr. Kader Bhai.
These three persons contributed a lot which we must admit and for whose initiative today’s computer is in a good shape. In 1993, Professor Younus in a convocation program in BUET, delivered his speech ‘Pother Badha Soriye Din, Manuskke Egute Din’, in a seminar on technology. This speech drew the attention of all the youths of the country. It is realized that, professor Younus was influenced by the writings and the very publication of Computer Jagot. In mid 90’s, with combined efforts of mid level and low-mid level youth, the tradesmanship of accessories & equipments was in a trend of expansion. Primarily, some computer dealers were involved with its supply & marketing side. The assembling of equipments, parts & machineries was a milestone operation & initiative taken by the business dealers of Elephant road. This was very positive & in no may it can be ignored.
The Computer Jagot has published this advertisements in cheaps & even on free. Mr. Mustan, the senior journalist published news on computer having the matters from advertisement. Mr. Kader published in his paper without any hesitation. Today the Daily Prothom Alo and other dailies are publishing the computer activities which are undoubtedly the reflections to Computer Jagot. By its activity, today’s the daily papers computer page is highly influenced. So far, in 1993, on the eve of first computer fair, this magazine has precisely published special supplement on computer for its wide popularity. Mr. Nazimuddin Mustan covered the news of fair in his paper ‘Rastro’. A special supplement was also published in his own edited paper.
In Bangladesh the foundation of technology journalism was made from their side. With the direction & guidance the computer market expanded to make people pro-active and thought provoking. If we can ensure ICT education, technological skill development and fair quality education, training in person on ratio and conduct research on the use of ICT in the field of industrialization & finally by ensuring active & well established use of technology especially in the development of women empowerment through information, communication and technologies.
Bangladesh has taken the initiative to implement the sustainable development goals by 2030 & we believe these ideas made by IT unit have been kept & taken to consideration. To-day me are going to establish ICT & computer world. Thus ICT & computer development will indeed lead to achieving digital Bangladesh.

Writer, Columnist & Researcher