DU Correspondent :
Dhaka University has become a vibrant hub of solidarity and support as people from all walks of life converge to aid flood victims in southern Bangladesh.
The campus has seen an unprecedented outpouring of help, reflecting a united front in the face of the recent devastating floods.
The scene at the university is marked by a diverse range of contributors-from young children to professionals and laborers. Ten-year-old Ihaan, accompanied by his parents with a small bank of donations, is just one example of the many individuals coming forward. Corporate professionals, day laborers, and rickshaw drivers alike are bringing essential supplies and financial contributions to the university’s TSC (Teachers and Students Center).
The area has become a hive of activity with private cars, trucks, and handcarts arriving continuously. These vehicles are loaded with dry foods, dates, medicines, sanitary napkins, and clean drinking water. The sheer volume of contributions is something not seen at Dhaka University in many years.
On August 22, 2024, the student-led Anti-Discrimination Movement announced a relief campaign, which has been met with overwhelming support. The campaign continued from morning until late evening, with announcements made via loudspeakers urging people to maintain order and avoid blocking access routes.
Students from various departments and dormitories at Dhaka University have organized fundraisers, collected dry foods, and gathered clothing for the flood-affected. Not only Dhaka University students but also those from affiliated colleges and universities are actively involved in this relief effort.
Naeem, a student from one of the affiliated colleges, shared with The Daily Star that a relief collection booth has been set up at the entrance of TSC. Donations are being cataloged and sorted in the TSC sports hall, and packaged for distribution from the TSC cafeteria. Several trucks have already departed for flood-hit areas.
According to Ashrefa, another student, a total of 2,973,173 BDT was raised through various financial services and cash donations by the end of the previous day. She estimates that the amount of cash donations alone could exceed 5 million BDT by tonight.
The movement has seen contributions from both individuals and institutions, with an increase in volunteer manpower to manage the growing volume of donations. The coordination of efforts across various sectors highlights the collective spirit of the community.
Bhuiyan Asaduzzaman, a member of the Anti-Discrimination Movement, noted the unity displayed across different classes, professions, and political affiliations. He emphasized that the focus is on national identity and collective action, transcending personal ideologies.
Dr. Samina Lutfa from the Department of Sociology at Dhaka University remarked on the remarkable collective response, likening it to the solidarity seen during past crises like the 1988 and 1998 floods. She expressed optimism about the resurgence of collective identity and public engagement.
Professor Tanjim Uddin Khan echoed this sentiment, noting that for the past 16 years, such initiatives had been largely restricted to government-affiliated student organizations. He praised the current environment for its inclusiveness and collective participation, reflecting the true spirit of national crisis response.
Overall, Dhaka University has become a symbol of communal resilience and solidarity, as individuals from all backgrounds come together to support those affected by the recent floods.