Description:

This collectible phone card from Bangladesh, issued by Telephone Shilpa Sangstha Limited in 1993, reflects both cultural pride and environmental awareness through its design. The front of the card features a striking illustration centered on the theme of tree planting. At the top center, a hand holding a young sapling is depicted within a rectangular frame that suggests a window or a focused view. Surrounding this central image are stylized green trees, rendered in simple, repetitive shapes that evoke the idea of a forest. The Bengali inscription above the illustration translates to "Plant trees, save the environment," emphasizing the card’s environmental message—a call that was gaining global momentum in the early 1990s.

The artwork is minimalistic yet impactful, employing clean lines and a limited color palette dominated by various shades of green to symbolize growth and nature. A subdued background enhances the visibility of the hand and sapling, reinforcing the theme of nurturing new life. This symbolism of planting and caring for a sapling aligns with broader themes of sustainability and ecological responsibility. The orange Bengali text in the corner, translating to "Prime Minister," suggests that the message may be endorsed or inspired by government-led environmental initiatives, lending an official tone to the card’s social message.

Below the main illustration, the card’s functional features are clearly displayed. It indicates a value of 25 units and includes both English and Bengali text identifying it as issued by Telephone Shilpa Sangstha Limited, Bangladesh’s state-run telecommunications provider. The lower section features a black magnetic stripe, typical of prepaid phone cards used in automated public telephones of that era. Additional design elements include a small arrow, a scissors icon indicating where to cut, and a usage meter marked in percentages from 0 to 100%, highlighting its pre-paid nature. The contact phone number, inscribed in both Bengali and English, provides a support line for inquiries or complaints.

Overall, this phone card exemplifies how everyday objects can convey cultural and ecological narratives. It combines functionality with artistic expression, serving both as a telecommunications tool and a symbol of environmental advocacy. Dating from 1993, it reflects a period when many nations were raising awareness about global environmental issues. Today, as a collectible, it stands as a piece of telecommunications history and a snapshot of Bangladesh’s early environmental efforts—powerfully conveyed through the simple yet meaningful imagery of a hand planting a tree.

Since we have the world's largest inventory of USA phonecards for collectors, you will not necessarily receive the identical serial/batch/PIN number that we have scanned/pictured.