Smart Villages can be the mainstay in realizing the dream of building a Smart Bangladesh that will pave the way for our overall development. Since 80% of Bangladesh's people are directly or indirectly involved in agricultural work, building smart villages with a combination of modern technology, advanced infrastructure, skilled human resources and sustainable development will not only enrich the rural economy, but will also make an important contribution to national development. By bringing the facilities of the city to the villages and through digital inclusion, a society will be created where every person can move forward towards fulfilling their dreams by utilizing the power of technology.
Necessity and potential of smart villages in Bangladesh: The rural areas are the root of Bangladesh's economy, culture and lifestyle. To move this rural society forward on the right path of development, the concept of "smart villages" can be a groundbreaking initiative. Smart villages are a concept where it is possible to improve the quality of life in rural areas through modern technology, advanced infrastructure and service systems. This will not only reduce the gap between the city and the village, but will also strengthen the rural economy.
Importance of Smart Village: Through digital connectivity, internet and telecommunication services can be ensured in smart villages. This will open up new opportunities for students, farmers and entrepreneurs. It is possible to carry out agricultural activities using smart technology in smart villages. Crop monitoring with the help of drones, modern irrigation systems and agricultural information technology services will help farmers increase production. In addition, online education and employment training facilities can be provided in smart villages. In this, the rural population can acquire modern knowledge and skills. Healthcare: It will be possible to improve the quality of healthcare in rural areas through telemedicine and modern health technology. This will make healthcare accessible and reduce medical costs. In smart village planning for environmental protection, eco-friendly infrastructure and the use of renewable energy are important. This will help reduce the risk of climate change.
Rural areas of Bangladesh are the main driving force of economic, social and cultural life. It is essential to establish smart villages in rural areas as the foundation of the country's development. The smart village concept helps in improving the quality of rural life by combining technology, innovation and sustainable development.
Firstly, the establishment of smart villages can play an important role in poverty alleviation and livelihood development of rural people. The use of digital technology can increase agricultural productivity, ensure fair prices for crops and improve the supply system.
Secondly, smart villages can be effective in making basic services like health and education easily available. The quality of life of rural people can be improved through the expansion of e-health services and online education.
Thirdly, it is possible to ensure sustainable development by using eco-friendly technologies in smart villages. The development of solar power, rainwater harvesting and waste management will contribute to protecting the rural environment.
Therefore, smart villages are a powerful step towards making Bangladesh a developed and sustainable nation. The implementation of this concept in rural development is the need of the hour.
Challenges in implementing smart villages: Inadequate internet connectivity and power supply are major obstacles in most villages. Economic constraints: Securing the necessary funding for implementing smart villages is a challenge. Lack of awareness: Raising awareness of the use of technology among the rural population is a long-term process. Addressing cybersecurity risks in the field of digital services is also an important issue. Smart villages: Smart villages are a concept where rural areas are made better and self-reliant through technology, environmentally friendly development, and the use of local resources. It is not just the use of technology, but a holistic plan to improve the quality of life of rural people. Expert Opinion, Dr. M. S. Swaminathan (Indian Agriculturist): Smart Village is not only based on technological development, it also emphasizes on educational opportunities, healthcare, and environmentally friendly agricultural systems. Dr. Richard Back (Educator): The concept of Smart Village reduces the gap between rural and urban areas. It provides effective solutions to local problems through technology and innovation. Anna Hazare (Social Worker), Smart Village is a vision through which equality can be brought at every level of society. It makes the people of the village self-reliant and reduces dependence on the city.
An example of a smart village in Bangladesh can be given. With the thought of expressing solidarity with the Smart Bangladesh dream of building a society rich in its own, the initiative was taken to make Hijli village in the remote region of Bangladesh a smart village. Due to making it a smart village, biogas plants have now been installed in three houses in this village. With the help of the Japanese donor agency JICA project, five solar street lights have been installed, a Facebook group has been opened in the name of the village, a family nutrition garden has been established on 70 percent of the village's land, from which safe, poison-free vegetables are being regularly produced and biofertilizer is being made in 20 houses using kitchen waste. Three people from among the disabled have been trained in mushroom cultivation, 9 people are being trained in outsourcing work for the employment of educated youth of the village, internet facilities have been increased in Smart Village Hijli, a list of pregnant mothers has been prepared and they are being counseled and regular health check-ups are being conducted. 202 tubewells in the village have been tested for arsenic. A smart youth club has been established in Hijli village through the Department of Youth Development, so that the youth of the village can reduce their addiction to mobile phones. In just six months of effort, this remote Hijli village of the country has now become the first-class smart village.Similarly, Pompoji Village (Maharashtra, India): This village has introduced solar power, waste management and digital education system. The villagers have become self-reliant by using local resources. Digital Village Project (Gujarat, India): Internet connectivity and digital transactions have been introduced in rural areas. The role of technology in healthcare, agriculture and education has been greatly increased. Oruvail (Tamil Nadu, India): Eco-friendly house construction and use of renewable energy are notable here.The people of this village have improved their quality of life through renewable energy and sustainable development. Karmatand Village (Bangladesh), Karmatand has become a smart village by using solar power, improved irrigation system and introducing e-governance.
The concept of smart village is a groundbreaking step for rural development worldwide. It can make local people more powerful and self-reliant through technology and sustainable development.Potential: It is possible to integrate rural areas of Bangladesh into the mainstream of the country's development by implementing smart villages. This will not only improve the quality of rural life, but will also pave the way for the overall economic development of the country. If this initiative is implemented with the joint efforts of government and private institutions, NGOs and international organizations, Bangladesh will be able to establish itself in the world as a sustainable and smart nation.
The development of the country is impossible without rural development: According to experts, the foundation of a country's overall development is the rural area. Because most of the country's population lives in villages and the improvement of their quality of life is directly related to the country's economic, social and environmental development. Rural areas are the center of agriculture, fisheries, animal husbandry and small industries. Agriculture is the backbone of Bangladesh's economy and its foundation is rural towns. Investment and technological development in the agricultural sector will increase food production, which will have a positive impact on the country's economy.
Poverty alleviation and employment creation, rural development means not only infrastructure development, but also increasing employment opportunities. Experts believe that it is possible to employ the unemployed population in villages by establishing small and medium enterprises. This will reduce the poverty rate and reduce urban migration. Social Stability and Expansion of Education Improvement of education and healthcare is essential for rural development. Experts say that if quality education and healthcare are ensured in villages, the overall stability of the society will be maintained. With the expansion of education, the rural population will become skilled human resources. Infrastructure Development The quality of life of the rural people can be improved by developing rural infrastructure such as roads, electricity, irrigation systems and increasing internet connectivity.
Smart Village is not just an idea, it is a horizon of possibility that can strengthen the foundation of Smart Bangladesh. By combining modernity in technology, education, healthcare and agriculture, Smart Village will not only improve the quality of life of the rural population, but will also play an important role in the sustainable development of the entire nation. Therefore, it is the need of the hour to take initiatives to build Smart Villages with the aim of implementing Smart Bangladesh. This goal can be achieved through unified efforts, proper planning and effective implementation, which will help us build a developed, self-reliant and inclusive Bangladesh.
The writer is an Assistant Professor and Head of Department at (Sociology), Rosey Mozammel Women's Honors College
