NIRAPAD Alliance Just Launched: A Major National Effort for Mental Health & Cyber Safety 🇧🇩

Yesterday at the International Mother Language Institute, Dhaka, the NIRAPAD Alliance officially launched its nationwide program “Healing the Nation & Safeguarding Cyberspace.”
This platform — formed in August 2025 with 22+ organizations — is aiming to tackle mental health, cybercrime prevention, and digital well-being across Bangladesh.

The event gained major significance because of the high-level presence:
Sharmeen Sonia Morshed, Advisor – Women & Children Affairs and Social Welfare (Chief Guest)
Chowdhury Rafiqul Abrar, Advisor – Education
Farida Akhtar, Advisor – Fisheries & Livestock
(Retd.) Maj. Gen. Emdadul Bari, Chairman – BTRC
Harunur Rashid, Joint Commissioner – DMP & Head of DB Cyber Unit
Barrister Tahmidur Rahman, Director – FBCCI
Their participation made it clear that cybersecurity + mental health are no longer “side topics” — they’re becoming national priorities.
One of the most notable moments came when Advisor Farida Akhtar proposed that Sharmeen Sonia Murshed take over as the official Chairperson of NIRAPAD Alliance — and she accepted.
This signals real structural backing.
Launch of Two National Units
Two major units were officially launched:
Cyber Unit “PROTIRODH”
Counseling Unit “SHOHOJATRI”
Both are planned to operate nationwide with support from the Ministry of Social Welfare and Ministry of Women & Children Affairs.

A powerful speech from Mashraf Aiman
One of the strongest responses from the audience came during the talk by Mashraf Aiman — former CTO of PROTIRODH and now Assistant General Secretary (AGS) and coordinator of NIRAPAD Alliance.
He highlighted:
PROTIRODH isn’t just about cybercrime reporting
It’s training unemployed and under-skilled youth in digital skills
Bangladeshi students & young professionals from the US, UK, Japan, and Canada are contributing part-time through a skill-exchange system
Youth can become the front line of Bangladesh’s cybersecurity resilience
His speech received direct appreciation from Sharmeen Morshed, Farida Akhtar, and DB Cyber Head Harunur Rashid — which is rare and significant.
Insight from Barrister Tahmidur Rahman (FBCCI Director)
Barrister Tahmidur emphasized something important:
“Bangladesh’s development engine is now driven by its youth — and coordinated efforts in skills, safety, and digital literacy are essential.”

Having someone from the business & policy sector strongly backing the initiative boosts its legitimacy.
He, along with BTRC Chairman, DB Cyber Chief, and Advisor Farida Akhtar, officially joined the NIRAPAD Alliance Board of Mentors.

Why This Matters
Bangladesh is facing:
rising cybercrime
rising mental health challenges
unfiltered access to digital spaces by teenagers
a lack of structured nationwide preventive programs
NIRAPAD Alliance’s approach to combine cybersecurity + mental health + digital citizenship under one platform is a fresh, much-needed intervention.