This presentation has been presented in the 4th International ACSA Conference: The Visual Imagination Across the Boarders Asian Cultural Studies Association GRADUATE SCHOOL OF ENGLISH ASSUMPTION UNIVERSITY 1-3 November, 2010. Bangkok Thailand

1. 80+1, Journey Around the World: LiveBits Experience from Dhaka ShahjahanSirajMultimedia Designer and ICT4D PractitionerDhaka, Bangladesh

2. Vision and idea Unity saving the people, unity saving the world! The proven truth, first growing powerful new media can unite the people easily beyond the time, space and cultural barriers by inspiring, connecting and involving.

3. Vision and idea Nowadays Bangladesh is moving ahead with the vision 2021 and establishing Digital Bangladesh with new leadership and political commitment. In this moment, we have achieved a time needed experience on the use of new media technology by “80+1, Journey Around the World” initiative. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is talking with people over video conferencing

4. Techniques and technology The idea and implementation was the unique combination of new media and old media with LiveBits, FreshBits and ConnectBits usages.

5. Spirit of Jules Verne The initiative “80+1 : Journey Around the World ” ( http://www.80plus1.org ) was formulated with the spirit of Jules Verne’s famous classic, “80 Days Around the World ”. Beyond the physical travel, the journey was accomplished with the satellite hook-up, fiber optic cable and the stops along the way 20 locations of the world covering 20 contemporary issues from June 17 to September 5, 2009 for 81 days.

6. 81 markets of Dhaka In Dhaka the issues was “Market”. Through market culture we present the real Bangladesh in global platform. The Dhaka was chosen as the capital city is the center of Bangladesh both geographically, economically, administratively and culturally. The city self is a market, however inherits whole country’s culture and spirit. From small street tea stalls to modern coffee shops, from bazaars to parks, from slums to megamalls, everywhere has touch of products and marketing.

7. In the sense, Dhaka’s market view is the key point to visualize the Bangladeshi spirit and life style. The metropolitan city is known as city of rickshaws and mosques, however the most densely populated city of the world, with a population estimated at over 14 million citizens making it the biggest city of the country. It can be called live exhibition of Bangladeshi culture. Here every day millions people come from around the country. 81 markets of Dhaka

8. Bits from spots To visualize the true life and culture, we did extensive research and divided Dhaka market into three types, spiritual market; civic and commercial market before start the Bits. During the “80+1 day Journey Around the Dhaka” (http://www.80plus1.org/projects/dhaka-markets ), every day we did LiveBits from one market through the wireless Internet connectivity from the spots.

10. To Linz and web During the LiveBits the participants at cultural capital of European Union “Linz”, got live tour experience in Dhaka by overcoming time and space limitations. However unite and feel oneness with the life and culture of Dhaka. From the new media initiatives, it has again proved that we are all members of “Global Family”.

11. Mode of live casting The scheduled was arranged systematically based on markets position, cultural entities and traditions. In tour along with traditional market, we bits from the non recognized rickshaw market, love market however street markets by riding on a rickshaw in new Dhaka and riding on Tom Tom in Old Dhaka.

12. The regular activities of the journey were everyday one hour LiveBits to screen in Linz and FreshBits in web by publishing web documentary in www.80plus1.org blog via video social networking. Moreover in the end of journey we published an 81 minutes DVD video production as ConnectBits production. However all the content now available in the net. Mode of live casting

13. Mode of live casting Video on spot experiences/ bits covering Hello Dhaka 5 minutes Documentary on Dhaka Marketshttp://www.youtube.com/basecampmarkets#p/u/84/VBMCCK5UUek

14. Covering wireless networking, video streaming, online distribution, blogging, LiveBits, DVD production and e-book publishing, featuring in broadcast and local media the initiative become a unique example of new media and old media unity. In the slow internet arena, doing Live Bits by using GPRS, portable devices, laptop and internet connectivity, the 80+1 becomes an example for South Asian new media practitioners’ confidence. Outputs

16. YouTube Channel: 81 Videos + http://www.youtube.com/user/basecampmarkets

17. 81 photo stories http://picasaweb.google.com/basecamp.marks

18. E-book + documentaries Documentarieswith 81 Minutes DurationSlide show81 Slides of Marketshttp://www.80plus1.org +

19. Beyond the mainstream media hegemony, with the power of new media, the 80+1 travelers now know Dhaka very well. They know from the history to market view, street tea stalls to modern shopping male, street man to reach man.

20. The misunderstanding has been disappeared for this media presentation. The prejudices about Bangladesh and its culture have been changed into positive views. In such way if new media presentation could be arranged from developing world; the positive views would start by between north and south, have and have not by knowing properly. The great unity and understanding would be created which will the freedom, collaboration and peace process to establish global family values. In the way digital divide would be solved properly. A great balance would be created between local and global content.

21. End More info at http://www.80plus1.org Contact: siraj@machizo.com Phone : +88-01715212204