Bangladesh’s first ‚Smart Village‘ in Hijli Gram of Harinakunda Upazila in Jhenaidah is now known as ‚Bhanga Hat‘. Despite being touted as the country’s first ‚Smart Village‘, Hijli Gram now lacks any signs or handicrafts. The initiators of the Smart Village project, former district administrator Monira Begum and Upazila Executive Officer Susmita Saha of Harinakunda, have faced criticism from the villagers for the transformation of Hijli Gram into Bhanga Hat.
The villagers of Hijli Gram, including Sarojmin, shared that in 2022, the initiative was taken to turn Hijli Gram of Kapashhati Union in Harinakunda Upazila into the country’s first Smart Village. However, after the change in leadership in 2023, the project was abandoned. The officials had taken multiple projects to create the Smart Village in Hijli Gram, but now there are no signboards, wall writings, or handicrafts in the area. Ibrahim Biswas, a former Union Parishad member of Hijli Gram, expressed his disappointment, stating that their Smart projects are now being neglected. The Smart Meeting Hall established in the village remains closed due to the lack of support from government officials. The library and youth club are also closed, and efforts to enhance women’s skills and integrate them into offline and online markets have been abandoned. The village lacks a strong internet connection, and efforts to utilize vacant land for agriculture have been halted.
Ruhul Amin, a resident of the village, mentioned that the youth’s vocational training, education for children with disabilities, and orphan care initiatives have all been discontinued. The deteriorating condition of the roads and the lack of maintenance of solar lights have added to the village’s woes. Incidents of theft, such as the theft of betel leaves from Tuhin, Shahidul, Selim, Imrul, and Isa Jowaradar, and the theft of a farmer’s cow named Rezaul, have occurred. Despite the presence of swinging signboards, the village remains crime-free.
Sharafat Uddin Jhantu, the Chairman of Kapashhati Union, expressed that the lack of internal harmony among the villagers has hindered the implementation of the project. The current Upazila Executive Officer of Harinakunda, Aktar Hossain, stated that he will make efforts to ensure the continuity of various government projects in the area.
In conclusion, the transformation of Hijli Gram into Bhanga Hat reflects the challenges faced in implementing Smart Village projects in rural Bangladesh. The lack of support from government officials, internal conflicts among villagers, and the neglect of essential infrastructure have led to the downfall of what was once envisioned as a model Smart Village. It is crucial for authorities to address these issues and work towards the sustainable development of rural communities in Bangladesh.