mircoarticles

[mircoarticles]

Rural Entrepreneurship in Developing Countries

A large range of products and services are available in remote areas, but there is lack of innovative ideas on how to best utilize these resources. That is why rural entrepreneurship is important for the development of villages and their people. Rural entrepreneurship is described as entrepreneurship with roots in rural areas that may engage in a wide range of enterprises, industries, and agriculture while also contributing to the country's economic development.

Rural entrepreneurship has played a vital part in a country's overall economic growth. The rise and development of rural businesses brings with it a wide range of opportunities. Because rural industries are labor-intensive, they have a high probability of creating jobs. Rural enterprises have a higher potential for producing money than urban businesses, reducing socioeconomic gaps between urban and rural dwellers. Rural entrepreneurship encourages the spread of economic activity in rural regions, resulting in more balanced regional growth. It not only protects but also encourages art, culture, and creativity, as well as the region's diverse heritage. When industries are established in rural regions, economic growth is advanced, and villagers' migration to urban regions is reduced. Reduces unequal rapid urbanization, slum development, pollution, and other negative consequences.

It is not easy to establish an industry in rural regions in order to foster entrepreneurship. It includes a wide range of activities. The establishment of entrepreneurship in rural regions is dependent on a number of factors. Raw material availability, the formation of financing cells, production and marketing centers, the development of entrepreneurial attitudes, entrepreneurial education, awareness, and institutional training are some of the issues that need to be addressed. Setting up marketing cooperatives is one of the most successful ways to provide total support, guidance, direction, and support to rural entrepreneurs who are starting a business.

Rural entrepreneurs play a vital role in the country's economic development since they may help a country transition from developing to developed. This will provide employment to the rural population, which will not only alleviate poverty on a massive scale and improve their standard of living, but will also reduce the number of people migrating to urban areas in search of work.

 Contributor: Aninda Jatirmay

Contact: ajatirmay@gmail.com

[mircoarticles]

Dogecoin. Is it really a joke…

Tesla CEO Elon Mask and rapper Snoop Dogg sent out a flurry tweets about the digital currency based on a meme ‘Dogecoin’, has capture the public attention. A cryptocurrency that started as a joke back in 2013 by two engineers has now capitalization of $54 billion and a huge global following. It is no longer a joke.

The two engineers, Billy Markus, software engineer from IBM and Jackson Palmer, software engineer from Adobe had combined successfully two of 2013’s greatest phenomena: “Bitcoin” and “Doge”. The result is “Dogecoin”. The two set out to make it “as ridiculous as possible” and centered it on a popular internet meme of a Japanese Shiba Inu “Doge”.  It has officially went live on Dec. 6, 2013, and became an instant hit with the community. Not only it was a comical cryptocurrency that could be easily mined and cost of a cent to buy, but also the crassness of its creation came as a pleasant breath of fresh air for many individuals who just wanted to experiment with cryptocurrencies.

So, what is the story behind Dogecoin's sudden rise to prominence? In summary, it appears that the selfless community, the lighthearted origin of projects, and its real-world application were key factors in dogecoin's early success in the crypto market. Thanks to online communities and support from celebrities like Elon Musk, Dogecoin has become a form of cryptocurrency avatar for meme culture in recent years. DOGECOIN has gained in value as that culture has grown in popularity, its designers never anticipated.

 Contributor: Aninda Jatirmay

Contact: ajatirmay@gmail.com

For more click here

[mircoarticles]

Dogecoin. Is it really a joke…

Tesla CEO Elon Mask and rapper Snoop Dogg sent out a flurry tweets about the digital currency based on a meme ‘Dogecoin’, has capture the public attention. A cryptocurrency that started as a joke back in 2013 by two engineers has now capitalization of $54 billion and a huge global following. It is no longer a joke.

The two engineers, Billy Markus, software engineer from IBM and Jackson Palmer, software engineer from Adobe had combined successfully two of 2013’s greatest phenomena: “Bitcoin” and “Doge”. The result is “Dogecoin”. The two set out to make it “as ridiculous as possible” and centered it on a popular internet meme of a Japanese Shiba Inu “Doge”. It has officially went live on Dec. 6, 2013, and became an instant hit with the community. Not only it was a comical cryptocurrency that could be easily mined and cost of a cent to buy, but also the crassness of its creation came as a pleasant breath of fresh air for many individuals who just wanted to experiment with cryptocurrencies.

So, what is the story behind Dogecoin's sudden rise to prominence? In summary, it appears that the selfless community, the lighthearted origin of projects, and its real-world application were key factors in dogecoin's early success in the crypto market. Thanks to online communities and support from celebrities like Elon Musk, Dogecoin has become a form of cryptocurrency avatar for meme culture in recent years. DOGECOIN has gained in value as that culture has grown in popularity, its designers never anticipated.

Contributor: Aninda Jatirmay

Contact: ajatirmay@gmail.com

For more click here

[mircoarticles]

Digital Divide and Lack of Opportunities in Developing Countries

In developed countries, the majority of people have access to the internet and appropriate technology. On the other hand, many people in developing countries does not have this opportunity. It’s an another reality screams for attention behind the world of modern technology. The term "digital divide" refers to the difference between those with stable internet connection and equipment and those who have extremely limited or no access.

For many developing countries, ICT – information and communication technology – has become a new source of hope, the actual possibility of overcoming existing social inequalities and divides. When we think of the digital gap in developing countries, we think of issues like corruption, service delivery delays, and a lack of public sector accountability. Many people feel that ICT can solve this problem. Access to information and communication technology is one of the most critical concerns for socioeconomic development in developing countries. In addition, ICT in developing-country schools may provide an excellent opportunity for many youngsters who do not have access to technology to learn new skills. Authorities in developing countries must identify and try to solve the problem. However, it is not so easy because there are different types of digital divides within a country, such as a gender divide, an age divide, and an income divide. It is important to pay attention to all of these differences. Furthermore, we can see ICT has turned into a strong instrument for education to utilize for teacher’s professional development, reducing the gap of many teachers and students in remote schools, and increasing every learning environment with a range of materials available internationally.

However, in order to eliminate the digital gap, the problem of affordability of various ICT services must be at the forefront of the development goals. As citizens, we should discuss the importance of this issue in the fight against poverty and other issues in our globalized society.

References from the article:

Selwyn, N. (2004). Reconsidering political and popular understandings of the digital divide. New Media and Society, 6(3), 341–362. doi:10.1177/1461444804042519

Saheb, T (2014). ICT, Education and Digital Divide in Developing Countries. General Applied and Scientific University, Tehran.

For More click Here. 

[mircoarticles]

Gaming Disorder

Gaming addiction is a major issue in many parts of the world today, and it need more attention. It is no secret that video games are played on a daily basis by children and adults in many countries throughout the world. Gaming disorder is a term used to characterize the excessive usage of video games. A person with a gaming addiction's heart, according to experts, does not quickly fill up. As a result, the person is constantly eager to play games. Many people who spend more time playing video games have a terrible personal life. They are unable to attain what they do in the game in real life. As a result, they spend more time in the virtual world of video games than in reality. Gaming addiction has become so common that it has been classified as a "mental illness."

Those who are addicted to video games start to feel restless. Their minds refuse to let them do anything else. When a person is obsessed to video games, he attempts to cut himself off from the rest of the world. Individuals who are addicted to video games grow extremely psychologically disturbed. They also deal with depression. If a person plays more games, he may get sleeplessness, headaches, red eyes, waist pain, and neck discomfort, among other things. Many addicts don't even eat healthy foods. Another symptom of gaming addiction is anger.

Gaming addiction has become a major problem in today's society, but it may be overcome with extra-ordinary effort and patience. Playing video games is not harmful. Video games may be used to maintain a positive attitude, but they should only be used for a short period of time. It is also essential to have 'family time' in order to recover from it. Sitting, chatting, and playing with family members are all effective ways to avoid video gaming. The most crucial of these is to allow yourself time. You have a greater understanding of yourself, so take use of your other interests. 

According to psychologist Dr. Pooja Shivam Jaitley, once a person becomes addicted to video games, it is tough to live without it. If you or a loved one is experiencing signs of video game addiction, see a psychiatrist immediately. Take mental and emotional care of him.

[mircoarticles]

Khelna Bank (Sharing is Caring)

Khelna Bank is a program to convey the massage and facilitate literacy on sharing and caring among school children ensuring intergenerational well-being. Personal toys are being used as the instrument to complement this objective through collaborative, creative, participatory and learning event on-site. Toys are then distributed to the less fortunate children through creative participatory and fun-filled method.

A fun filled week of activities are held at the schools. The ‘Khelna Bank Week’ have recreational activities where students enjoys in collaborative and interactive games while learning about the powerful message of sharing is caring.

After the collection program, the collected toys are sorted, sanitized and packed and then are distributed among the less fortunate school children who are missing out on the multifarious benefits of toys. Khelna Bank arranges creative participatory activities such as art, poem, drama, quiz, singing, dancing competition and etc. The students get the scope to earn the toys through these creative and social engagement.

Khelna bring out the happiness in a child’s face. The smile that cannot even be minimized with money. Khelna amuses them and also develops the children psychology in many ways.

The program demonstrates the power of collective community strength and help to improve the lives of those children who are unable to enjoy the playfulness in childhood. The program uses toys as a medium to enhance the playfulness while teaching the greater community about the importance of learning through play required for a holistic development of a child.

Khelna Bank have its footmark in 8 divisions and 89 schools with 107,060 students aware of sharing and caring; and 58 Khelna (Toy) Library established in the cared for schools. All these schools are under the follow up process of the team.

Find Us On:

1.      facebook.com/KhelnaBank/

2.      youtube.com/KhelnaBank/

3.      inclusivebd.org/khelnabank/

[mircoarticles]

Sharing and Happiness

The term "sharing" refers to the act of giving to those in need. Sharing results in happiness. Therefore, sharing is so important that love, friendships, relationships, and human civilization are built on it, looking after each other despite our differences, and mutual assistance. Even if The Covid-19 pandemic has increased the value and urgency of sharing and caring and serving others. So that, it is essential to teach children the importance of “sharing” from their early age, as well as the importance of sharing of our tangible or intangible things with others.

From the early childhood when we learn to communicate, we learn to share with it. It begins with our parents teaching us the important of sharing by sharing a toy with a friend in need. At first, this idea seems absurd in the mind of children or toddler. They might be think, “Why would I give this toy I’m playing with?” They will quickly realize the outcome at their young age. And the outcome is the joy they see they have brought to someone else. Sharing not only bring us joy, it teaches us the importance of caring for others. In Bangladeshi and many other cultures, it is common to share home with elders.  On the other hand, Sharing would not have to be a grand act to be appreciated. You can simply make someone feel special by simply giving a compliment, like - Thank you for your support. Sharing is truly a win-win situation. Happiness or Smile is one of the best thing you can share with others.

In Future, when you get an opportunity to share something with others or something good happens to you, do not miss that opportunity to share.  A Chinese proverb says, "If you want happiness for an hour, take a nap. Go fishing if you want to be happy for a day. If you want to be happy for a year, gain wealth. Share if you want to be happy for the rest of your life.” Happiness can be achieved by serving others.

According to a report conducted in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, sharing our good news provides us with more positive feeling than just remembering it. The study also discovered that expressing a positive experience has other advantages, such as making it easy to recall, the ability to hear new positive implications of our news from someone's viewpoint, and the extra pleasure we feel when we make another person happier with our good news. (Nathaniel M. Lambert, A. Marlea Gwinn, Roy F. Baumeister (2012). A boost of positive affect: The benefits of sharing positive experiences. )

[mircoarticles]

Re-Opening of Schools after Covid-19

Schools have never been closed for such a prolonged period of time. Children are not only staying to their homes, but they are also scared of this unknown contagious disease COVID-19. Parents are anxious and overprotective of their children. Families in the lower and middle classes are concerned about losing their jobs. Children are scared of such situations, and there is no one to whom they can look for guidance and support. Many families experienced depression and mental health is now a big concern in globally. Some families could not afford to stay in the cities and were forced to retire to their native villages with their children. Many that attend urban government or low-cost private schools will now enroll in a rural school. Teachers, too, are going through a difficult time; many have lost their jobs. They are not sure whether they will be able to stay their profession, and the most concerning aspect is the ongoing uncertainty about the reopening of the school.

There is an immediate need to arrange workshops for teachers to encourage them to support children as one of the first steps before schools reopen. Rather than immediately jumping into teaching, both schools and teachers would have to facilitate structured interactions with children, listen to them, consider their concerns and worries, and provide a nurturing and caring environment. There is also a need to train teachers to facilitate effective teaching programs in order to help children remember and re-establish a learning rhythm. Children from well-off private schools may have had the ability to learn through online classes, children from poor, middle-class, and working-class families do not have that opportunity. Many children may not even have access to the government-organized TV classes. Another risk for children is dropping out, and girls could be more vulnerable. It is important to identify vulnerable students, support them and their families, and inspire them to continue their education.

The role of the teachers in the post COVID-19 phase would have to be multi-faceted; they will need to become counsellors, friends, shoulders to cry on, and sensitive caregivers.   Teachers need help and support in regaining the confidence of parents and the community around the school. This pandemic has not only been an unimaginable tragedy for all of our children, but it can also provide us with a new reset button to reimagine the school, allow teachers more accountability, provide on-demand assistance to them, and most importantly, make our schools more caring, nurturing, and lively environments where children feel safe and happy.

[mircoarticles]

Closure of schools and Children’s mental health

Many children in Bangladesh, particularly in Dhaka, are experiencing severe physical and mental distress because of COVID-19 restrictions that keep them at home for long periods and prevent them from socializing with other children. Though the government has made online teaching methods available to students since the closure of educational institutions in March of last year, parents and experts prefer in-person teaching because virtual classes have been causing physical and physiological stress on children for nearly a year.

"Feeling isolated can lead to poor sleep, poor cardiovascular health, lower immunity, depressive symptoms, and impaired executive function,” the American Psychological Association said in a recent study on the mental health of children, in a post-Covid world.

According to the latest National Adolescent Health and Wellbeing Survey, more than 90% of adolescents use mobile phones in Bangladesh. According to Dr SM Aman of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine in the UK, research suggests that prolonged cell phone exposure could affect children's behavior.

"The children in the study who were hyperactive or had emotional or behavioral problems, including trouble getting along with other kids, were much more likely to have mothers who used cell phones during pregnancy," he said.

A field-based study conducted by 15 international and local organizations, has shown that children are facing mental and psychological discomfort as their normal childhood is missing during the current pandemic. The study unveiled that 55% of children shared their frustration with the state of staying at home, while another study said 42% of students’ lives have become troublesome due to the pandemic’s long-term closure of schools. And, 52% were concerned about the effects of the pandemic.

According to UNESCO, 1.2 billion students worldwide have been affected by the closure of educational institutions in 144 countries. Whereas in Bangladesh, about 37 million students, including 17 million in primary education, are out of in-person education and discontinuation of academic activities.

[mircoarticles]

yher: Women Changemakers

Every day, every minute, every second, we respect our courageous ‘Muktijoddhas’ – freedom fighters of 1971 – because of whom we have this independent land as proud Bangladeshis.

In this MicroArticle, I would like to add my respect to the 21st Century Muktijoddha’s working to eradicate poverty, support communities in need, create an environment to ensure social freedom, economic stability, and environmental sustainability for Bangladesh. The leaders of today, the young impact entrepreneurs – our 21st century Muktijoddha’s – freedom fighters –fighting to build Bangladesh.

Since 2016, Build Bangladesh in partnership with ygap Australia supported more than 60 active impact entrepreneurs in Bangladesh to ensure social, economic, and financial freedom while complementing the SDGs as our 21st Century Muktijoddha’s. Over last two years, we added another 13 plus women entrepreneurs into our support network mainly through our yher programme. These 75 plus young men and women agreed to take Bangladesh forward. This is what Build Bangladesh and ygap wants, the succession plan for our country, for our private sectors to grow. The yher programme – with specific focus on the women entrepreneurs as the changemakers is a success story in many countries including Bangladesh.

Historically from the late 19th century the legal position of women gradually improved but, would you believe that a country like Switzerland introduced voting rights for women only in 1971! The First World War gave women their big opportunity to move into previously male dominated occupations. As the men were at war, women were driving trams, working in the offices, banks, shops and ammunitions factories. The principle that women were perfectly capable of doing a wide range of jobs were established by then. Next, the second world war brought millions of women into labor force. The widespread adoption of labor-saving technology in the home from the start of the 1950s, as for example, refrigerators, cookers, washing machines had an impact for more women to take up paid external jobs. From 1970s women started moving into the labour forces in ever increasing numbers globally.

Female employment in Bangladesh has seen a 35% increase, reaching 18.1 million between 2008 and 2017. Higher growth in female employment was fuelled by the industrial sector, especially the apparel industry and services sector. But the agriculture sector still employs the highest number of women, employing 10.9 million workers.

The prospect to bring more women into the workplace is huge, where half of the population is women! And women entrepreneurs can play instrumental role to bring this plan into reality! These Yher ‘graduates’ as the women changemakers are determined to drive this agenda!

We strongly believe, they have the capacity and determination to do it and they will achieve it! Their strengths and ammunitions are:

Passion and dedication to eradicate gender inequality; Spirit to touch people’s heart through ethical business; dream to support the environment; and unconditional love for Bangladesh.

These are our new leaders; the women change makers.

Title: yher: Women Changemakers

Contributor/s: Farhadur Reza

Contact: farhad.reza@impress.bz

[mircoarticles]

Poverty to Prosperity

Build Bangladesh (www.buildbangladesh.org.bd) took a scientific and sustainable approach to develop ‘antidote’ against ‘virus’ like poverty, by transforming Poverty to Power! In 2016, we developed few strategies and actions as part of the ingredients for our dream ‘antidote’. We have been testing all components of our models over last four years and happy to share that we are getting closure to share a comprehensive package to the world soon.

We strongly believe, ‘people do not want charity, they want a chance’!

The key INGREDIENTS for the ‘antidote’ are:

Intergenerational wellbeing (sharing and caring)

Financial, Environmental and Health literacy

Skills development

Entrepreneurships (in all need-based sectors)

Housing and infrastructure (targeting lower/middle income households)

Reciprocal agreements between developed and developing countries

To test these ingredients, we created a supportive ECOSYSTEM in Bangladesh by:

Bringing one of the largest corporate sectors in Bangladesh on board as partner;

Partnering with the UNDP;

Establishing the National Advisory Board (NAB) for Impact Investment in Bangladesh;

Bangladesh becoming the 19th member of the Global Steering Group (GSG) for Impact Investment; and

Gaining support from Government regulators and financial institutions.

To realize the expected outcomes of these ingredients within the ecosystem, we incorporated an appropriate FUNDING/INVESTMENT instrument. We chose Impact Investment as the ‘21st century tool’ rather than traditional debt, charity, grant, micro finance, and social business. This has been supported by:

The Alternative Investment Rules 2015, Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC);

The Bangladesh Bank circular on linking Impact Investment with Green Finance (2019);

Launching of the first Social Entrepreneurs Impact Fund – Build Bangladesh Social Entrepreneurs Fund sponsored by foreign investors; and

Launching few open-ended Mutual Funds targeting the wellbeing of the people at the bottom of the pyramid.

With the Ingredients, Ecosystem and Funding/Investment in place, we have been testing our models at the grass root level across Bangladesh. The data to date is revealing positive outcomes, reconfirming our pathway, and helping us to refine our way forward constantly.

Title: Poverty to Prosperity

Contributor/s: Farhadur Reza

Contact: farhad.reza@impress.bz

[mircoarticles]

Impact Investment Stakeholders

Title: Impact Investment Stakeholders

Contributor/s: Farhadur Reza

Contact: farhad.reza@impress.bz

[mircoarticles]

Post Covid-19 Architecture

This MicroArticle is to reflect the Post COVID-19 Architecture in Bangladesh supported by evidence-based changes in Architecture over last few centuries. It is not the first time in history that cities and buildings will be reimagined in response to an increased understanding of events that affects the whole of civilization at once. The question is how this Pandemic will influence Architect’s perception when designing new apartments, residences, or even larger public spaces, like schools, universities, airports, hotels, hospitals, gyms, stadiums, shopping centers and offices?

After the Industrial Revolution, architecture and planning had to cater for the huge rural-urban migration in the early 1800s. The post-world war architecture in Europe reflects the challenges adopted by Architects followed by the impacts in design since September 11, 2001 attack in New York. Even before that, Haussmann's renovation of Paris was a vast public works program between 1853 and 1870, while London re-planned its infrastructure in the wake of the city’s 1954 cholera epidemic.

Similarly, to face the regular natural disaster and/or health challenges, Bangladesh has proved itself as a competent country to take appropriate actions. Loss of lives since 1969, due to disaster, has been hugely reduced, the number of climate refugees has gone down, prevented outbreaks of deadly diseases like malaria, shelter to prevent people from floods and natural disasters is now considered as one of the best solution for mankind (Nobel Prize winning Grameen housing).

As Architects, it is worth to be ready by incorporating few possible ‘COVID-19 impacts’ on Architecture well ahead. There has never been a greater challenge for Bangladeshi Architects to be innovative and creative to complement the reforms in social, economic, and environmental arenas. Because, what Architects have, is a set of skills to think outside the square, how to nurture the creative cells in their brain, how to use creativity, innovation to support human beings and to bring good to all societies. They are trained to ensure the health of urban environment and accountable to develop preventive measures and ‘vaccines’ for the urban systems to cope with uncertainties for today and tomorrow.

Title: Post Covid-19 Architecture

Contributor/s: Farhadur Reza

Contact: farhad.reza@impress.bz

[mircoarticles]

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

The food for thought for this MicroArticle is a rhyme that I am confident all of you are familiar. We all interpreted it in our own way when we were growing up:

“Twinkle Twinkle little star how I wonder what you are,

Up above the sky so high, like a diamond in the sky”

This was all about unreachability, untouchable, unattainable – comparison with a very precious object – Diamond.

Now, it is 21st century – time to think differently, see differently, interpret differently:

Little star is our next generation

Up above the sky so high – is the unreachable part of our society with need – basic need – health housing, nutrition, education and employment.

Like a diamond in the sky – this is the huge untapped potential among the new generation impact entrepreneurs just waiting to be nurtured.

You can do it! You can bring a better world for everyone – the Impact Entrepreneurs of the 21st Century.

Think it twice now:

“Twinkle Twinkle little star how I wonder what you are,

Up above the sky so high, like a diamond in the sky”

Contributor/s: Farhadur Reza

Contact: farhad.reza@impress.bz

[mircoarticles]

E=MC²

When we were growing up, it was simply, e=mc2, e for energy, m for mass and c2 for double the speed of light. Einstein’s Theory of Relativity from 1905. The same equation during our University days (in the 1990’s) had totally different meaning for us:  e for energy, m for milk and c2 for double shot of coffee.

What would e=mc2 refer to this generation, for the millennials? It is now capital E, = capital M times capital C2. (E=MC2 for the 21st Century) Capital E is now Entrepreneurship, Empowerment and Environment, which we can make sustainable by using M wisely, where M is Money, and finally capital C2 is referring to Creative Community.

This is the 21st century theory of relativity between the power of community and money. This is the Theory of Disruption! This is the Theory of Independence – socially, economically, and environmentally with relevant governance. This is the theory of doing good and doing well for generations to come.

Title: E=MC²

Contributor/s: Farhadur Reza

Contact: farhad.reza@impress.bz