Bangladesh has successfully contained the coronavirus pandemic and the economy has not also collapsed because of the benefits of "Digital Bangladesh", said Sajeeb Wazed Joy, ICT adviser to the prime minister.

Sajeeb Wazed made the observation Tuesday night at a webinar organised to distribute the Joy Bangla Youth Award-2020. The CRI and Young Bangla jointly organised the event.

Joy, also chairperson of the Centre for Research and Information (CRI), said the Covid-19 situation in the country is better than in many rich countries, including the USA.

"The Awami League-led government has successfully contained the spread of the coronavirus inside the country. Corona failed to make any visible impact on our economy as the country got benefited from Digital Bangladesh," he said.

During the pandemic, the government continued all official activities online, he said. "That is why we did not stumble. I am proud of my involvement in the Digital Bangladesh activities."

Joy said, "Due to a number of time-befitting decisions made by the government to stem the spread of the virus, the country succeeded in avoiding any large-scale disaster.

"As long as the Awami League is in power, the country will move forward."

Observing that there are people who look for faults in every word, always raising objections, he told the awardees, "You did not do so today. Ignoring the limitations, you are contributing to the country's advancement using your own labour and intelligence. I am inspired to see your example."

Joy said Bangabandhu's dream was to build a secular Bangladesh and a welfare society ensuring democratic practices in the country. He called upon the young generation to come forward to face all social crises.

This year, 30 organisations were nominated for the Joy Bangla Youth Award-2020. Among them, 16 organisations were awarded under the social inclusion category while the others received the award under the integrated community development category.

Nasrul Hamid, a CRI Trustee and state minister for power, energy & mineral resources ministry, also addressed the webinar.