Every Friday afternoon, a small fair of colors takes place in front of the main gate of Begum Rokeya University in Rangpur. Pushing through the crowd, one can see a collection of handmade bangles decorated with colorful thread, stones, and beads. Standing behind that stall with bright eyes is a young woman named Anika Taskin. She is a student on this campus, but she has a new identity: an entrepreneur.

Anika’s story is not just about selling bangles; it is about shaping one’s own destiny using a smartphone, the internet, and strong willpower. Social scientists now call this the “Benefits of Digital Democracy.”

Started as a Hobby, Moving Toward a Dream

Anika’s journey as an entrepreneur began at home. When she felt tired from the pressure of her studies, she would scroll through Facebook and notice various designs of handmade jewelry. Out of curiosity, she tried to make something for herself.

“When I first made bangles for myself and wore them, my friends praised them a lot. Right then, I thought “why can’t I share this with everyone?” Anika recalled. From that thought, her online business ‘Blossom Cherry’ was born.

When the Smartphone Becomes the Showroom

In the past, starting a business meant needing a large amount of capital, advance rent for a shop, and loud announcements to get noticed. But Anika had none of these. All she had was a simple smartphone and her creativity. Taking photos of her handmade products, uploading them to her Facebook page, and talking directly to customers through live videos— this is how her virtual showroom began.

Anika says, “The offline stall is just to meet people in person. But the heart of my business is Facebook. Without digital platforms, my work might never have moved beyond the four walls of this campus.”

Digital Democracy: A Level Playing Field

The biggest factor in Anika’s success is ‘Digital Democracy.’ In this system, thanks to technology, opportunities are now equal for everyone. There is no divide between rich and poor or big cities and small towns. Anyone with creativity can reach thousands of people. Anika gets direct reviews from her customers and understands their needs without any middlemen.

This digital freedom has given young people a unique power to create their own identity. Anika is no longer just waiting for a job after graduation; instead, she dreams of becoming a job creator herself.

In this era of digital democracy, young people are no longer just waiting in long lines for jobs. They are connecting their skills with digital tools to build the economy of the future. With a small smartphone, an internet connection, and a heart full of dreams, the new success stories of digital Bangladesh are being written.