GP's Information Boat: A modest move to break digital divide
Tuesday, 21 July 2009
FE Report
Boats or dinghies sailing hassle-free through the gentle streams and watercourses are one of the most identical images of rural Bangladesh- symbolizing the quintessential mode of transportation of the world's most reverine topography.
But thanks to a private sector initiative, those same country boats- this time specially designed to serve the information needs of rural communities and labeled as 'Tathyo Tori'; are set to be the virtual information hub of the twenty first century Bangladeshi countryside.
'Tathyo Tori' or Information Boat project- as the venture has been named, is a joint initiative of Grameenphone Limited- the leading telecommunication company of the country and Care Bangladesh; whose aim is to provide access to information at the remotest part of the country.
Under the project, a number of specially built boats, designed to provide necessary livelihood information for the rural communities have been already been introduced in some rural parts, especially in the Char and Haor areas, to meet the communication needs of those reverine communities.
A typical Information Boat which is usually equipped with computers, Internet and email facilities, as well as photocopiers, fax machines, printers, web cams, video machines and scanners, virtually acts as a complete information hub for the rural communities, moving from one place to another through waterways on a fixed schedule.
"The main objective of this project is to break the digital divide- both by educating and empowering rural people with the necessary information for their livelihoods," Grameenphone Deputy General Manager Shafuat Hossain said.
The first such Information Boat initiated its service in Dhirai of Sunamganj district in September 2008, followed by its second counterpart at Bajitpur of Kishorganj district in June this year.
Grameenphone authority says that it is planning to launch two more such information boats by the end of this year, this time targeting the southern regions of the country, as GP's aim is to cover all the rural parts Bangladesh through its Tathyo Tori project.
Information Boats are also equipped with digital content, such as livelihood and agricultural information, suited for the specific areas served by the designated boats. At the same time, skilled trainers from CARE Bangladesh will provide training to the local community people on different livelihood options.
The Grameephone authority said that the project is supposed to place specific focus on regions which are especially remote, as people from those areas have limited access to up-to-date livelihood and other information.
The boats will also provide primary healthcare services to the community once in a week with prescheduled route plan which will be communicated to them in advance, they informed.
"Empowerment is one of the key focus areas of Grameen Phone's social initiatives" Shafquat said, "as we recognize that connectivity and economic growth are positively correlated and therefore, access to information is a major precondition to development".
"While our Information Boat venture is just a beginning of a long journey which is far-off from our aim to reach the millions, Grameenphone still feels privileged to be the part of a national development process," he added.
Boats or dinghies sailing hassle-free through the gentle streams and watercourses are one of the most identical images of rural Bangladesh- symbolizing the quintessential mode of transportation of the world's most reverine topography.
But thanks to a private sector initiative, those same country boats- this time specially designed to serve the information needs of rural communities and labeled as 'Tathyo Tori'; are set to be the virtual information hub of the twenty first century Bangladeshi countryside.
'Tathyo Tori' or Information Boat project- as the venture has been named, is a joint initiative of Grameenphone Limited- the leading telecommunication company of the country and Care Bangladesh; whose aim is to provide access to information at the remotest part of the country.
Under the project, a number of specially built boats, designed to provide necessary livelihood information for the rural communities have been already been introduced in some rural parts, especially in the Char and Haor areas, to meet the communication needs of those reverine communities.
A typical Information Boat which is usually equipped with computers, Internet and email facilities, as well as photocopiers, fax machines, printers, web cams, video machines and scanners, virtually acts as a complete information hub for the rural communities, moving from one place to another through waterways on a fixed schedule.
"The main objective of this project is to break the digital divide- both by educating and empowering rural people with the necessary information for their livelihoods," Grameenphone Deputy General Manager Shafuat Hossain said.
The first such Information Boat initiated its service in Dhirai of Sunamganj district in September 2008, followed by its second counterpart at Bajitpur of Kishorganj district in June this year.
Grameenphone authority says that it is planning to launch two more such information boats by the end of this year, this time targeting the southern regions of the country, as GP's aim is to cover all the rural parts Bangladesh through its Tathyo Tori project.
Information Boats are also equipped with digital content, such as livelihood and agricultural information, suited for the specific areas served by the designated boats. At the same time, skilled trainers from CARE Bangladesh will provide training to the local community people on different livelihood options.
The Grameephone authority said that the project is supposed to place specific focus on regions which are especially remote, as people from those areas have limited access to up-to-date livelihood and other information.
The boats will also provide primary healthcare services to the community once in a week with prescheduled route plan which will be communicated to them in advance, they informed.
"Empowerment is one of the key focus areas of Grameen Phone's social initiatives" Shafquat said, "as we recognize that connectivity and economic growth are positively correlated and therefore, access to information is a major precondition to development".
"While our Information Boat venture is just a beginning of a long journey which is far-off from our aim to reach the millions, Grameenphone still feels privileged to be the part of a national development process," he added.