Rangpur: The Saddyapuskorini Union Digital Centre (UDC) in Rangpur Sadar upazila is revolutionizing rural life by offering an array of digital services that enhance convenience and accessibility for the local populace.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the centre provides over 150 essential services, including Hajj registration, national identity card (NID) services, and passport and visa applications, at minimal costs. These services benefit approximately 200 people daily. Many residents, when interviewed at the UDC, emphasized the ease and efficiency with which they could access services like lost NID copies, new NID registrations, land records, social allowances, and government-related services.
A notable example is Abdul Hamid, who approached the UDC after losing his NID without any supporting documents. Arifuzzaman Moon, a UDC entrepreneur, quickly assisted him by locating his information from the voter list and providing a certified copy of his NID. Hamid expressed his satisfaction with the swift service.
Similarly, Ajoy Roy from Deodoba successfully applied for a land porcha at the UDC and received the required document within seven working days, avoiding the need to visit district-level offices. This sentiment of satisfaction was echoed by other locals, including GM Muhaimenul Islam, Nur Mohammad, Mahfuzur Rahman, and others who availed of NID services.
The UDC also facilitates access to social allowances. Elderly citizens like Abdur Rahman and Sabitri Rani Roy received their old age allowances conveniently, while housewives Roksana Begum and Nazmun Akhter quickly accessed maternity allowances. The centre also assists youths in job application processes, exemplified by the support provided to Abu Raihan, Hamidur Rahman, and Borhan Uddin.
Retired teacher Abdur Razzaque utilized the UDC to join the Non-government Teachers' and Employees' Welfare Trust. Farmers Monirul Islam, Mujibur Rahman, and Rafiqul Islam benefited from updated agricultural information provided by the centre, aiding them in various aspects of farming.
Students like Abrar Hossain and Rahima Begum, who recently completed their HSC exams, plan to use the UDC for their class XI admissions, following the example set by their seniors. Additionally, Anwar Hossain effectively filed a general diary online through the UDC after losing his cheque book.
The success of the UDC is reflected in entrepreneur Arifuzzaman Moon's earnings, which amount to around Taka one lakh per month, derived from the UDC and three adjacent service outlets, excluding operational costs. Sohel Rana, Chairman of the Saddyapuskorini Union Parishad, commended Moon's efforts in significantly enhancing the quality of life in the rural community by delivering essential digital services.