‘Bangladesh Challenge’ ends with excellent outcome
Under the initiative of Bangladesh Challenge, youths were given the opportunity to pinpoint important locations in Google Maps and Open Street Map, while staying at their respective houses
The campaign 'Bangladesh Challenge' aimed at digital mapping across the country has ended today, receiving remarkable participation from youth in the process.
One lakh and ten thousand locations have been added to Google Map and Open Street Map, as a result of the campaign.
Mobile phone operator Grameenphone, in partnership with a2i (Access to Information), launched the initiative implemented by the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) division and the Cabinet Division, supported by the UNDP, during the early days of Covid-19 pandemic in our country.
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Junaid Ahmed Palak MP, State Minister for ICT Division, was present as the chief guest during the online closing ceremony.
Under the initiative of Bangladesh Challenge, youths were given the opportunity to pinpoint important locations in Google Maps and Open Street Map, while staying at their respective houses.
Updating the geographical mapping is extremely important for the nation, especially during a crisis as it will help the citizens to quickly locate important places like hospitals, commodity markets, recharge points, Nagad/bKash points, and many more.
The digital mapping will also help organizations to provide emergency response accurately, especially areas outside Dhaka city.
The penetration of Google Maps has been minimal outside the urban areas and caused problems for the citizens to locate various places. Thus, the initiative of updating the digital map will solve such kinds of issues.
"A2I, Grameenphone, Bangladesh Scouts, and Preneur Lab have come up with Bangladesh Challenge initiative, where the youth of the country can show the way from home, we are glad that this challenge has touched everyone," said State Minister for ICT Junaid Ahmed Palak MP at the closing ceremony.
During the online closing ceremony, State Minister for ICT Junaid Ahmed Palak announced the names of the top 100 mappers who received the crests.
The top 200 mappers will have the opportunity to work with a2i's 'One Shop' platform. They will assist in the geographical mapping of superstores, grocery stores, pharmacies, courier services, public toilets and tourist destinations in the country which will also take the district-branding activities forward.
All 31,000 registered mappers will receive E-certificate issued by the ICT Division.
"We are happy to be part of this initiative and I thank all the participants those have given input into the maps; your steps can make a big difference anytime. Let's us now build on this progress and help our society," said Yasir Azman, CEO, Grameenphone.
"This mapping will immensely help the people during such trying time while aiding significantly to the e-commerce and delivery services," stated Anir Chowdhury, Policy Advisor, a2i.
Numerous partners and organizers have worked with Grameenphone and a2i to make this campaign a success – Preneur Lab, Youth Hub, Bangladesh Scouts, Google Developer Group, Local Guides Bangla, UNDP, Open Street, Posts and Telecommunications Division, and Women Techmakers.
Hosted by Khairul Basher, Head of Communication, Grameenphone, the online closing ceremony was attended by Abul Kalam Azad, President of Bangladesh Scouts; Arif Nezami, CEO of Preneur Lab; Farhan Qureshi, Regional Head (South Asia) of Google, two mappers, ICT Division, a2i and Senior Grameenphone executives and media personnel.
