Bangladesh Unveils Cheapest $130 Android Laptops

'DOEL' Laptop | Made in Bangladesh

The dream of Digital Bangladesh in realization! Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has unveiled the worlds cheapest and also the first domestically manufactured laptop named 'DOEL' today at the Bongobondhu International Conference Centre in Dhaka.

The laptop will be produced by the State owned Telephone Shilpa Sangstha (TSS) (টেলিফোনে শিল্প সংস্থা) in collaboration with 2M Corporation Ltd., Dhaka and TFT Technology, Penang, Malaysia. The primary device will be priced at 10,000 BDT (6,490 INR | US$132.3) and will run on Google’s Android OS.

TSS is set to launch three more models by the end of this week which would run on Intel Processors are are priced at:

• 13,500 BDT (8759 INR | US$178.6) - Basic model with Intel Atom Processor,
• 22,000 BDT (14272.67 INR | US$291.1) -Standard model with Intel Atom Processor and,
• 26,000 BDT (16868 INR | US$344) - Advanced model with Intel Pentium Processor.

This is indeed a great step towards the realization of the dream of Digital Bangladesh and bringing about e-governance; it would undoubtedly boost the connectivity across the nation and will drive digital connectivity in villages.

However, the government needs to do a lot more to improve the internet connectivity across the nation else the distribution of laptops wouldn’t be of great benefit in terms of digitally connectivity. But, for sure this affordable laptop will cut the digital-divide among the citizens and will be very helpful especially for students.

An important feature would be the presence of Phonotic Bangla Keyboard along with English in all the four laptop models. This would surely make it easy for the people who are not well acquainted with english and would increase the reach of digitization by making a larger portion of people computer literate.

People need to have realistic expectations from this affordable laptop  because they are aimed to cater the basic needs and not to deliver high end services but its surely a 'value for money' deal. 

Configurations:  

DOEL Primary Price: 10,000 Taka 10.0″ LCD Panel  (1024*600) VIA 8650 800MHz 512 MB RAM Integrated 0.3 MP Webcam WiFi 802.11b/g 10/100M Ethernet LAN  (RJ-45) 2 USB 2.0 SD Slot for Max 32 GB Google Android Integrated

DOEL Basic Price: 13,500 Taka 10.1″ (1024*600) WXGA LED Backlit Intel® ATOM Processor 455 1.66GHz Intel NM 10 Express  Chipset. Intel ® GMA 3150  (Integrated) Graphics. 1GB DDR3 HITACHI/TOSHIBA SATA 250 GB HDD Integrated 1.3 MP Webcam 802.11 bg/n 10/100M Ethernet LAN  (RJ-45) 3 USB 2.0 Linux Based OS

DOEL Standard Price: 22,000 Taka 12.1″ (1360*768) WXGA  LED Backlight Intel® ATOM Processor N470 1.83GHz Intel NM 10 Express  Chipset. Intel ® GMA 3150  (Integrated) Graphic 2GB DDR3 SATA 320GB HDD Integrated 1.3 MP  Webcam 802.11 bg/n 10/100M Ethernet LAN  (RJ-45) 3 USB 2.0 Linux Based OS

DOEL Advanced Price: 26,000 Taka 14″ (1366*768) WXGA  LED Backlight Intel® Pentium P6200  2.13 GHZ Processor Intel HM55 Chipset 2GB DDR3 SATA 320GB HDD DVD Writer ( Samsung ) Integrated 1.3 MP  Webcam 802.11 bg/n 10/100M Ethernet LAN  (RJ-45) 3 USB 2.0 Linux Based OS

To get more information  click on TSS | Doel Laptops. 

The Naming of this Laptop: 

This laptop is named after the National Bird of Bangladesh i.e. Doel দোয়েল (English: Magpie Robin). So this should clear the doubts of all the people who think that its named to 'sound' like 'Dell'. 

It’s a matter of pride for all of us today…! 

জয় বাংলা !

Injustice Revived! Eight Bangladeshis Beheaded in Saudi Arabia

"Eight Bangladeshi migrants were beheaded (শিরশ্ছেদ) in public in Riyadh after they were convicted of killing an Egyptian security guard four years ago, a media report said.They were charged with robbing a warehouse and killing a security guard, Egyptian national Hussein Saeed Mohammed Abdulkhaleq, in April 2007, bdnews24.com reported on Saturday. 

Mamun Abdul Mannan, Faruq Jamal, Sumon Miah, Mohammed Sumon, Shafiq al-Islam, Masud Shamsul Haque, Abu al-Hussain Ahmed and Mutir al-Rahman were executed Friday in Riyadh. Three other accused were given jail terms. 

The beheadings bring the number of executions in Saudi Arabia this year to 58, more than double than the 2010 figures. Twenty of those executed this year were foreign nationals."

Click >> Saudis behead 8 Bangladeshis | | bdnews24.com for detailed report.

Everyone deserves a fair trial in this world. Today, Saudi Arabia stands odd against the worldwide trend against the Capital Punishment. 

Laws (Sharia or Constitutional) are made for the benefit of humanity, but what the Saudi's did; is undoubtedly Inhumane and Barbaric. Its very sad and shocking; Its high time that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia get on track with the international judicial and Human right standards. What assistance did these migrant workers have from the Bangladesh Government ?

This is injustice and clear violation of Human Rights. Why there is no hue and cry against this brutal regime? Why are the western countries who 'care' a lot about human rights mum against this brutality- Everyone keeps quite- its a tough NO INTERFERENCE in Saudi Internal Affairs !

There is another side of this story, the case would have been different if they were US or UK citizens, as in this case they were poor Bangladeshi migrant workers, they were treated like worthless creatures - denied justice and were unheard!

Saudi Arabia is one of the worst place to live on earth at this moment, they completely RACIST- If you are a non-Saudi you cannot file a case against a Saudi person. I believe Saudi’s are not powerful than “Allah”, so “Allah” is enough for them to punish.

Mahalaya | মহালয়া

Mahalaya (Bn: মহালয়া Mōhalōya) marks the end of the “Pitri Pōkkho (পিতৃ পক্ষ)” and the commencement of “Devi Pōkkho (দেবী পক্ষ)” and its significance in Bengal is that it sets the six days countdown for the “MahaSaptami” of Durga Pujō. The preparations for the Durga Puja reaches its final state during the Mahalaya. It's the day when the whole Bengal wakes up to the reverberating chants of Chandi mantras by Birendra Krishna Bhadra.

Babughat, Kolkata
Photo from Flickr by Amal Biswas

The Rituals:

It’s a ritual among the devotees to fast since dawn and offer prayers (“tarpan তর্পণ”) at the river banks of Ganga as a remembrance of their forefathers and take a holy dip in the sacred river. Several priests can be seen at the Ganga Ghats performing Tarpan for different groups of devotees, this ritual starts early at dawn and continues till mid day. Babughat in Kolkata and Bagerhat in Khulna,Bangladesh are to be mentioned specially. It’s only after performing this ritual the devotees end their fast.

Radio and TV Telecasts:

Birendra Krishna Bhadra
(1905–1991)

It was in the year 1930, that the All India Radio (AIR) (আকাশবাণী) broadcasted the first live Mahalaya programme. Since then, it has been aired every year at 4:00am on this auspicious day and thus, Mahalaya has been deeply associated with the impeccable voice of late Birendra Krishna Bhadra whose enthralling chants of “Chandi Path” filled every house in Bengal. In spite of his absence, his voice is still aired and has marked its presence on the World Wide Web!

Almost since two decades, Doordarshan has been telecasting an Agamoni Mahlaya Programme, generally a two hour programme which starts around 4:00. It comprises of a dance drama with the evergreen chants by Birendra Krishna Bhadra. This progarmme is telecasted all over India and is presented by Doordarshan Kolkata.

Today, it’s not only the Government broadcasters but the private channels like Star Jalsha, ETV Bangla, Akash Bangla, Zee Bangla and leading radio channel Radio Mirchi etc.  have joined the league to present Mahalaya programme with better graphics and advanced special effects. But, the enchanting recital of “Mahishasur Mardini” by Bhadra will always remain close to our heart; it’s a welcome move that the private channels have come forward to promote the cultural importance of Mahalaya and also to improvise the quality of the programme. 

Mahalaya By Birendra Krishna Bhadra

“Ya devi sarbabhuteshshu, sakti rupena sanksthita Namasteshwai Namasteshwai Namasteshwai Namo namaha.”

“যা দেবী সর্বভূতেষু শক্তিরূপেন সংস্থিতা নমস্তস্যৈ নমস্তস্যৈ নমস্তস্যৈ নমঃ নমঃ।“

Wishing everyone Shubhō Mōhalōya. | সকলকে যানাই মহালয়ার শুভেচ্ছা।