CA calls for saving rivers to save the capital
Saturday, 29 November 2008
Chief Adviser (CA) Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed Friday called for saving the Buriganga, Dhaleshwari, Shitalakhya and Turag rivers to save capital Dhaka, as the rivers surround the sprawling city, report UNB/BSS.
He made the call while inaugurating a 3-year (2008-2010) programme marking the completion of 400 years of Dhaka as a capital.
Cultural Affairs Ministry organised the opening gala ceremony at the South Plaza of Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban in the late afternoon.
The head of the caretaker government drew attention of the city Mayor, ward commissioners, city planners, utility service providers, city elite and conscious city dwellers for making Dhaka a better habitable place and a modern city.
He urged the authorities concerned, including the Archeological Department, to take effective initiatives to properly preserve the historical and traditional establishments of Dhaka.
Uttering the slogan of the celebrations, 'Rajdhani Dhakar Charsha Bachhar (400 years) Purtitey Ashun Moji Furtitey', Dr Fakhruddin said, "Let's come and enjoy marking the 400 years of Dhaka as a capital. Let's remember the previous lifestyle and tradition of Dhaka - get united to restore its pride."
Earlier at the function, the Chief Adviser, LGRD Adviser M Anwarul Iqbal, Cultural Adviser Rasheda K Chowdhury and Cultural Ministry Secretary M Shariful Alam released four pigeons in the air.
Some 400 colorful balloons were simultaneously also released in the air from the audience to mark the completion of 400 years of Dhaka as a capital.
On the occasion, the CA also released a commemorative postal stamp of Tk 6 denomination and a first-day cover of Tk 6 denomination.
The 3-year progarmme, chalked out by the government, would be celebrated both at the government and non-government levels. The programme include jubilant processions with horses and elephants, Dhakaiya food fair, including Bakarkhawani, children painting competition and various cultural progarmmes.
The LGRD Adviser also spoke at the function chaired by the Cultural Adviser. The Cultural Secretary made the welcome address.
Chief Adviser's wife Neena Ahmed, advisers, special assistants to the CA and prominent personalities and school and college students were, among others, present at the inaugural event.
The CA said Dhaka city is the central point of almost all activities of the country including politics, economy, administration, trade and business as well as education and culture.
After 400 years, Dhaka has now been established as a vibrant and illuminated city crossing many ups and downs, he added.
He further said the history of once Bangla, then East Bengal and thereafter today's Bangladesh was basically encircled keeping Dhaka as its centre. "Dhaka and the people of Dhaka gave birth to bright histories through ages."
In this context, he mentioned the Sepahi Biplab of 1857, the language movement, the 1969 mass upsurge, the surrender by Pakistani occupation forces and the democratic movement of 1990.
Briefly speaking about the history of Dhaka, he said the ancient Dhaka was built over a limited area of Pakurtoil, presently known as Babubazar, on the bank of the Buriganga River. In 1864, prior to introduction of municipal governing system, the area of Dhaka was of about 8 square miles while its population was nearly 52,000.
"Today, the population of this mega city is over 1.20 crore with an 815-sqk area," Fakhruddin told the function.
The inaugural progarmme was followed by magnificent fireworks and pleasant cultural programmes in the evening.
The CA and his wife enjoyed the fireworks and cultural events.
He made the call while inaugurating a 3-year (2008-2010) programme marking the completion of 400 years of Dhaka as a capital.
Cultural Affairs Ministry organised the opening gala ceremony at the South Plaza of Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban in the late afternoon.
The head of the caretaker government drew attention of the city Mayor, ward commissioners, city planners, utility service providers, city elite and conscious city dwellers for making Dhaka a better habitable place and a modern city.
He urged the authorities concerned, including the Archeological Department, to take effective initiatives to properly preserve the historical and traditional establishments of Dhaka.
Uttering the slogan of the celebrations, 'Rajdhani Dhakar Charsha Bachhar (400 years) Purtitey Ashun Moji Furtitey', Dr Fakhruddin said, "Let's come and enjoy marking the 400 years of Dhaka as a capital. Let's remember the previous lifestyle and tradition of Dhaka - get united to restore its pride."
Earlier at the function, the Chief Adviser, LGRD Adviser M Anwarul Iqbal, Cultural Adviser Rasheda K Chowdhury and Cultural Ministry Secretary M Shariful Alam released four pigeons in the air.
Some 400 colorful balloons were simultaneously also released in the air from the audience to mark the completion of 400 years of Dhaka as a capital.
On the occasion, the CA also released a commemorative postal stamp of Tk 6 denomination and a first-day cover of Tk 6 denomination.
The 3-year progarmme, chalked out by the government, would be celebrated both at the government and non-government levels. The programme include jubilant processions with horses and elephants, Dhakaiya food fair, including Bakarkhawani, children painting competition and various cultural progarmmes.
The LGRD Adviser also spoke at the function chaired by the Cultural Adviser. The Cultural Secretary made the welcome address.
Chief Adviser's wife Neena Ahmed, advisers, special assistants to the CA and prominent personalities and school and college students were, among others, present at the inaugural event.
The CA said Dhaka city is the central point of almost all activities of the country including politics, economy, administration, trade and business as well as education and culture.
After 400 years, Dhaka has now been established as a vibrant and illuminated city crossing many ups and downs, he added.
He further said the history of once Bangla, then East Bengal and thereafter today's Bangladesh was basically encircled keeping Dhaka as its centre. "Dhaka and the people of Dhaka gave birth to bright histories through ages."
In this context, he mentioned the Sepahi Biplab of 1857, the language movement, the 1969 mass upsurge, the surrender by Pakistani occupation forces and the democratic movement of 1990.
Briefly speaking about the history of Dhaka, he said the ancient Dhaka was built over a limited area of Pakurtoil, presently known as Babubazar, on the bank of the Buriganga River. In 1864, prior to introduction of municipal governing system, the area of Dhaka was of about 8 square miles while its population was nearly 52,000.
"Today, the population of this mega city is over 1.20 crore with an 815-sqk area," Fakhruddin told the function.
The inaugural progarmme was followed by magnificent fireworks and pleasant cultural programmes in the evening.
The CA and his wife enjoyed the fireworks and cultural events.