Photo : BSS

By Md Mamun Islam

RANGPUR, July 18, 2025 (BSS) - The Saddyapuskorini Union Digital Centre (UDC) in Rangpur Sadar upazila has become a shining example of how digital services can make rural life easier and more convenient.

The centre provides over 150 services-such as Hajj registration, national identity card (NID) services, passport and visa applications-at minimal cost to around 200 people daily.

Speaking to BSS at the UDC, many service recipients said they came for help with lost NID copies, new NID registrations, land records, social allowances, general diary filing, and other government services.

Abdul Hamid, a resident of a nearby village, said he had lost his NID and had no supporting documents. He sought help from UDC entrepreneur Arifuzzaman Moon.

"I have a complete voter list of the union. I searched for his record, found it, and downloaded a copy using online services. I handed it over to him within minutes," said Moon.

Hamid expressed satisfaction after receiving a certified copy of his lost NID quickly and at a nominal fee. 

Another villager, Ajoy Roy of Deodoba, applied for a land porcha (land record) at the UDC and received an auto-generated copy within just seven working days.

"I'm very happy to get the porcha so easily, without having to go to district-level offices as we did before," he said with a smile.

Like many others, GM Muhaimenul Islam, Nur Mohammad, Mahfuzur Rahman, Abdul Awal, Jarina Begum, Shakila Khatun, and Monwara also expressed satisfaction with the NID services.

Elderly citizens Abdur Rahman of Mistripara and Sabitri Rani Roy of Adarshapara walked to the UDC and easily received their old age allowances.

Housewives Roksana Begum of Hajipara and Nazmun Akhter of Balapara received maternity allowances within minutes at the centre.

Youths Abu Raihan, Hamidur Rahman, and Borhan Uddin received help from Moon in downloading, completing, and submitting job applications.

Retired assistant teacher of Podaganj High School, Abdur Razzaque, said he submitted an application from the UDC and became a member of the Non-government Teachers' and Employees' Welfare Trust.

Farmers Monirul Islam, Mujibur Rahman, and Rafiqul Islam shared their happiness after receiving updated agricultural information on crop cultivation, pest control, technology, seeds, fertilizers, and harvesting schedules from the UDC.

Students Abrar Hossain and Rahima Begum, who passed this year's HSC exams, plan to submit their class XI admission applications through the UDC-just like many senior students did last year.

After losing his cheque book, Anwar Hossain filed a general diary with Rangpur Sadar Kotwali Police Station online through the UDC and expressed satisfaction over the prompt service.

Speaking to BSS, entrepreneur Arifuzzaman Moon said he earns about Taka one lakh per month from the UDC and three adjacent personal digital service outlets, excluding average monthly operational costs of Taka 65,000.

Saddyapuskorini Union Parishad Chairman Sohel Rana praised Moon's performance in delivering both online and offline digital services, significantly easing rural life.