Perhaps art, culture and festival are the only areas where Dhaka can evenly match or in my opinion can challenge Melbourne. Dhaka has the proud inheritance of a very rich culture. Very old city situated on the Bank of Buriganga River has a very rich history. Original Dhakaiyas still maintain traditional hospitality.
Many historic buildings in old Dhaka hold the greatness of Moghul arts and Architectures. Dhaka was the center of many historic events. Lalbagh fort, Hussani Dalan, Choto Katra, Baro Katra in old Dhaka, and Sonargaon area in greater Dhaka still bears symbols of history. Sonargaon was the capital of undivided Bengal. At a time it was used to be told, “What Bengal thinks today India thinks tomorrow”.
Dhaka and Bangladesh holds the truest spirit of the great liberation war, language movement. The Shaheed Minar built for the memory of language martyrs of February 21, 1952 and Jatiyo Smriti Soudho built to commemorate the supreme sacrifice of the valiant freedom fighters of 1971, monument of Rayer Bazar built in the memory of martyred intellectuals of December 14,1971 are places where Bangladeshis assemble on those special days to show respect to the heroes. All these immortals sacrificed their all for our present and future. We remember them with joy and tears at sunrise and sunset.
Dhaka and Bangladesh holds in high the secularism spirit of the liberation war where people of all religion live side by side and perform their religion without any fear and favor. Dhaka is a city of mosques. The air of the city rang with the melody of invitation to prayer “Azan” five times a day. Similarly Hindus, Christians, Buddhists are other religion perform their religious rights with great fervor and festivity.
Bangladesh Government has almost completed the Swadhinata Tower construction at historic Suhrawardy Udyan (Formerly Known as Race Course) from where the father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman delivered the historic speech of March 7, 1971 urging the Bengalee Nation to get prepared for the Liberation war and also the place where on December 16,1971 Pakistan Army surrendered to Bangladesh-India alliance force heralding the Victory of Bangladesh as a proud nation.
Dhaka is a city of festival. 21st February ( Language Martyrs Day ), 26th March ( Independence Day ), Pohela Boishakh ( Bengali New Years Day) 16th December ( Victory Day) are observed with fervor . The entire area around Ramna Garden, DU Campus turn into a festival area on the Bengali New Year. People attend the program of Chayanot at Ramna Batomul, eat panta bhaat and ilish bhaja. A very rich book fair is held at Bangla Academy over the entire month of February. Eids, Durga Puja, Chrismas Day, Buddha Purnima are also observed by respective religion but enjoyed by all alike. Bangladeshis in Dhaka and elsewhere also perform Poush Parbon, Barsha Baron, and spring festival.
The area around Dhaka University, DMCH, BUET become a sea of mourners from zero hours of 21st February for people of all ages, all religion, all races to show respect to valiant sons of the soil Barkat, Salam, Jabbar, Rafique and Shafiur who laid down their lives for establishing the right of mother language Bangla. UN has recognized the day as International Mother Language as no nation other than Bengalee has made supreme sacrifice for the language. Dhaka has National Museum and Liberation War Museum.
The Jatiyo Shangsad Bhavan (National Assembly Building) is a unique creation of the World Famous Architect Louis I. Kahn is a pleasing sight. Government is setting up a circle of culture surrounding the Shilpakola Academy which in few years will be humming with performances round the year.
Dhaka is the seat of education. Dhaka University, BUET, DMCH, Jagannatah University, Jahangirnagar University, BRAC University, North South University, Dhaka College, Notre Dame College, Holy Cross College, Rajuk Uttara Model School and College, Ideal College, Residential Model School, Vikharunnessa Noon School, Eden Girls College, St Gregory School, St Francis School, Armanitola School, Pogoes School, Quamrunessa School are only few of the hundreds of schools, colleges and universities in Dhaka. Unfortunately Dhaka has grown into a mega city in not too planned manner and schools, colleges and universities set up in congested residential areas create huge grid locks. Government must plan to create special areas for cluster of educational institutions to ease traffic congestions taking some of the major institutions outside city centers.
Dhaka is known for its delicious food. Daal, Bhat, Bhorta, Bhajeey, fish curry of Bangladesh is not a special diet in Dhaka but a delicacy everywhere in the world. My foreigner friends who has Keechur, Hilsha fry in my place or King Prawn Mali curry still remembers and reminds me when again they can have it. Old Dhaka is still maintaining the traditional Moglai food. The various Iftari Items of Dhaka –Kacchi Biryani, Moglai Porata, Bakhor Khani, different variety of Kababs, Halim, Jeelapi, Misti Doi ( Sweet Doi) are really unforgettable. We miss many varieties of sweets that we used to have at Dhaka. We think in matters of food varieties and their delicacies Dhaka ranks very high among the cities of the world.
Dhaka is the sporting capital of Bangladesh. The historic Bangabandhu Stadium was purpose built to hold the first ever cricket test Match between the then Pakistan and India. Since then the stadium witnessed many historic sporting events of soccer, cricket, hockey and athletics. Bhasani Hockey Stadium, Shrer-e-Bangla Cricket stadium has also witnessed many national and international events. Bangladesh has successfully organized ICC world Cup and ICC T20 World Cup and Asia Cup Cricket on few occasions. Unfortunately unplanned urbanization has narrowed the open spaces once available for games and sports all over Dhaka. Many schools and colleges even do not have play grounds. Dhaka Municipal Corporation and RAJUK have failed to check and control the unscrupulous persons in setting up buildings in most of the open spaces depriving children from playing. Moreover, the infectious nature of drug and alcohols has taken the youth away from games and sports. Considering the future of the nation it has now become very urgent to create greater incentives in sports and games, recover play grounds wherever possible in Dhaka and deal with drug abuse very strongly. Education and sports ministry must work on regenerating sports and games in all educational institutions. Month of December must be observed every year as month of games and sports.
Dhaka has unfortunately seen some dark and shameless incidents as well. Father of the nation got brutally murdered along with most of his family in the infamous incident “Midnight Massacre” on August 15, 1975 by a gang of ungrateful Bangladeshis. The Bangabandhu Museum still bears the memory of the greatest Bangladeshi ever born. 4th November 1975 again witness another shameful incident when four top leaders of our great liberation war Syed Nazrul Islam, Tajuddin Ahmed, Capt ( Rtd) Mansur Ali and Mohammad Quamruzzaman were again brutally murdered in the central Jail by the enemies of Bangladesh. Present Government has already completed part of the trial and punishment of the killers and still moving ahead to apprehend the fugitives.
Dhaka also witnessed some more ugly incidents. The August 21 incidents of alleged state sponsored deadly grenade attack on a rally of Bangladesh Awami League killed many and injured hundreds were targeted to kill Awami League leadership including incumbent Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Another incident of shame was deadly attack in the Pohela Boishakh Musical Soiree at Ramna Batomul and Communist party Rally at Dhaka. Some of these incidents are at various stages of trail process.
History of the great Dhaka city is blessed and cursed with joy, happiness, tears and blood. A great city is burdened with 15 million people. Government is trying to implement DAP, addressing all issues. The city which has glorious history and rich tradition will not die and will definitely get back its glory as Bangladeshis always win with their Never Say Die Attitude.
(Will be concluded in the next Part)
** Living in Heaven and Hell (Part VI)
BDST:1027 HRS, AUG 28, 2014
