To say that Bangladesh was obsessed with digitization for years would be an understatement. Yet, while digitization is unquestionably a worthy pursuit that, if done right, would help countless Bangladeshis, the reality is that without proper planning and implementation, digitization is reduced to squandering public funds and little more.

This is unfortunately clear to see with the e-gates at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport; while they were meant to symbolize our leap into modernity, they stand as a testament to the squandering of public funds - sitting idle, frequently malfunctioning, and ultimately useless to the very passengers they were supposed to serve.

This is yet another glaring example of how public money is squandered on projects that look impressive on paper but collapse in practice. Many crores have been poured into these high-tech gates, yet the return is negligible, with passengers continuing to queue at manual counters as the machines gather dust.

What is most frustrating is the lack of prioritization from our leaders. We have no shortage of urgent needs, from hospitals needing critical equipment to schools needing qualified teachers to flood-prone communities needing fortification. 

That funds are diverted to such projects that ultimately deliver little beyond dreams of a digital future is nothing if not frustrating. Every wasted taka on dysfunctional technology is a taka denied to essential services that could transform lives. Technology is not and has never been a silver bullet, and without proper planning, training, and maintenance, the most advanced systems will fail. 

As such, while digitization is and will continue to be of importance, it is necessary for subsequent administrations of Bangladesh to prioritize spending public funds better - investing in essentials such as roads, drainage, healthcare, education, and the likes before chasing after gadgets that serve more as status symbols than solutions.