State Minister for Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, Junaid Ahmed Palak, presented to Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, the visiting United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Goodwill Ambassador, how technology has created opportunities in various sectors, including education, health and economy, in moving Bangladesh from digital to smart.
He announced the creation of a world with 'Zero Digital Divide' to ensure equal access for every citizen to reap the benefits of the digital revolution.
The State Minister highlighted these advances at an event titled 'Innovate Together for Zero Digital Divide' organized by the Information and Communication Technology Division and Aspire-to-Innovate (a2i) with the support of UNDP at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital today.
UNDP Goodwill Ambassador Crown Princess Victoria attended the event and observed Bangladesh's significant progress in digital transformation.
The event focused on building a digital divide-free Bangladesh in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the vision of leaving no one behind. At the event, the Crown Princess observed Bangladesh’s exemplary journey in bridging the digital divide through innovative initiatives such as the Digital Center, National Helpline 333, e-commerce platform, and freelancer support program. These initiatives are empowering citizens, especially youth and entrepreneurs, across Bangladesh, paving the way for inclusive growth and socio-economic development.
The event was attended by UN Assistant Secretary-General Ulrika Modder and Swedish Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Johan Forsell, other senior government officials, UN representatives, and private sector representatives.

Through interactive sessions and exhibitions, participants discussed the transformative impact of Bangladesh's digitalization efforts and emphasized the opportunities it has created for individuals across sectors. They also discussed Bangladesh's significant progress and future plans in creating a world with zero digital divide.
During her four-day visit to Bangladesh, the Crown Princess will review the progress and ongoing challenges in implementing the SDGs, focusing on climate change, gender equality, green and digital transformation, and the role of the business sector, as well as the development journey of Bangladesh. She will also observe initiatives led by women and young entrepreneurs to mitigate the impacts of climate change in vulnerable areas implemented by the government and UNDP.

The rally, initiated by Dhaka Metropolitan North and South BNP, began at 2 pm on Saturday (March 18) in front of the party's central office in Nayapaltan. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir will be present as the chief guest.

It was seen on the spot that only BNP leaders and activists gathered in front of the BNP central office in Nayapaltan from 1 pm to participate in the rally. Leaders and activists of the party's affiliated organizations are coming in droves to the rally. Leaders and activists of Chhatra Dal, Jubo Dal, Swechchhasebak Dal and other organizations are bringing small processions from different areas of the capital. They spread triphala on the road and sat on it, and a stage has been set up on a truck in front of the central office for the rally.

Meanwhile, thousands of leaders and activists of BNP and its affiliates and affiliated organizations were seen attending the rally in separate processions carrying banners, festoons, national flags and party flags. They filled the streets with slogans demanding the release of Khaleda Zia, the resignation of the government and various anti-government slogans.

In addition, leaders and activists were seen participating in the rally wearing caps of different colors.

It was also seen on the spot that law enforcement officers are in a tight position around the BNP central office surrounding the rally. Law enforcement officers are also on duty in plain clothes around the office. Overall preparations are being made to ensure that no destabilizing situation is created by the public gathering.

Like-minded professional Democratic Alliance leaders have commented that if the upcoming 12th National Parliament elections are free, fair and impartial, the Awami League with its philanthropic spirit will not get even 10 seats.

Speakers made these remarks at a protest rally in front of the National Press Club on Saturday (March 18).

The protest rally was held to demand the dissolution of parliament, the upcoming 12th national elections under a non-partisan, impartial caretaker government, permanent bail for Begum Khaleda Zia, the release of all political prisoners, and the implementation of the 10-point demands.

In his speech at the rally, Muhammad Saidur Rahman, chief coordinator of the Democratic Alliance of Like-minded Professionals and president of the Bangladesh Youth Forum, said, "We must build a nationwide mass movement to dissolve this illegal parliament and organize the next 12th National Parliament elections under a non-partisan, impartial caretaker government. If the next 12th National Parliament elections are free, fair and impartial, this eloquent Awami League will not get even 10 seats. The people will sink the boat forever."

At the rally, the alliance's assistant coordinator, Advocate Mainuddin Majumder, said, "The sound of the fall of the Baksali government is being heard this evening. Their unprecedented vote theft in the Supreme Court Bar and Dhaka Bar elections has proven that it is not possible to organize the upcoming 12th National Parliament elections properly under this illegal government."

The rally was also addressed by Nationalist Citizens' Party President Shahzada Syed Mohammad Omar Faruk Pirsaheb, Constitution Preservation Council President Advocate Atiqur Rahman, Nationalist Law Teachers' Council President Advocate Abu Hanif, Nationalist Liberation War-71 President Heroic Freedom Fighter Ansar Rahman Sikder, Bangladesh Democratic Council President Sheikh Alim Ullah Alim and General Secretary Md. Tofail Ahmed Majumder, Zia Citizens' Sangsad General Secretary Asadul Haque Ohidul, Bangladesh Jubo Oikya Parishad General Secretary Shariful Islam Sharif and other top leaders of the alliance.

The Chittagong-Dohazari railway line was opened in 1931. At that time, 6 pairs of trains were running on this route. Thousands of passengers used to get rail service from Dohazari to Chittagong at 12 stations in southern Chittagong every day. Later, the number of trains on the route gradually decreased. The number of trains reached one pair in the 1990s. However, due to passenger demands, a pair of trains was again opened in 2018. Later, a pair of DEMU trains was added in 2021.
During the COVID period, DEMU and local train services were simultaneously suspended from April 3, 2021. Later, on August 19 of the same year, two pairs of trains were resumed, but later in 2023, they were closed for repairs to the Kalurghat Bridge. Till now, local trains have not been resumed.
Recently, the Chittagong-Dohazari railway line has been extended to Cox's Bazar.
The first commercial non-stop intercity train named 'Cox's Bazar Express' started operating on the Dhaka-Cox's Bazar route from December 1. The latest addition was a pair of new intercity trains named 'Tourist Express' from January 10. For good reason, these two trains do not stop at any other station in between.
Many people from Patiya, Chandanaish and Boalkhali areas are working in various institutions in Chittagong city, who regularly commute from their villages. Many students also have to commute regularly to the city's colleges and universities. In addition, various types of vegetables are cultivated in Dohazari. Farmers and wholesalers used to take these vegetables to Chittagong city by train for sale at a low cost. If the train was operational, they could travel at a low cost and avoid suffering.

Meanwhile, railway sources have informed that local trains are going to be launched on this route. The proposed commuter train will depart from Chittagong station and pick and drop passengers from Sholashahar, Janali Hat, Patiya, Dohazari, Satkania, Lohagara, Harbang, Chakaria, Dulahazara, Islamabad and Ramu stations. The last train will stop at the iconic railway station of the tourist city of Cox's Bazar.
It was supposed to be operational from February, but it did not start even in mid-March. But this work should have been on the priority list. Because due to a bridge in Kalurghat, a large number of people in South Chittagong are facing indescribable suffering for a long time. Secondly, a mass-oriented, affordable and environment-friendly transport system like railways should be given priority at any cost. Therefore, we want all local trains in the country, including South Chittagong, to be fully operational.