‘Hridoye Dhaka 416’ to celebrate capital’s heritage
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will inaugurate the month-long ‘Hridoye Dhaka 416’ festival at Lalbagh Fort on August 29 as Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) moves to celebrate the capital’s history, heritage and civic identity.
The prime minister will inaugurate the festival at 4pm, DSCC Administrator Md Abdus Salam said at a press conference at Nagar Bhaban on Thursday.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has consented to attend the inaugural programme, Abdus Salam said.
“The prime minister has kindly consented to attend the ‘Hridoye Dhaka 416’ festival,” he said.
The DSCC has drawn up an extensive programme featuring heritage, cultural and civic activities across the capital.
The events include a heritage cycling rally, heritage run, theatre festival, boat race, heritage cruise, traditional procession and kite festival.
Exhibitions on Dhaka’s history, books, young innovators and the traditional food of Old Dhaka will also be organised as part of the celebrations.
A ‘Love Letter to Dhaka’ programme and ‘The Great Dhaka Sale’ will run from August 21 to 30.
Bangladesh Television will broadcast programmes featuring Old Dhaka from August 23 to 29.
The celebrations will continue until September 5, concluding with a ‘Panchayeti Adda’ at Alamganj Jetty.
According to Abdus Salam, Dhaka became the capital of Subah Bengal in 1610, while the establishment of the Dhaka Municipality on 1 August 1864 marked the beginning of modern urban administration.
The DSCC has designated 1 August as ‘Dhaka Day’ to commemorate the city’s history.
The celebrations will also carry a message about residents’ responsibilities towards the capital.
Abdus Salam urged Dhaka residents to take greater responsibility for keeping the city clean and protecting its environment.
“Dhaka should not be seen merely as a place to live; city residents must consider it their own city and their own home,” he said.
He also expressed concern over Dhaka’s air pollution, saying the capital’s position among the world’s most polluted cities was “not a matter of pride”.
The DSCC aims to develop a clean, green, smart and citizen-friendly capital while preserving Dhaka’s historical and cultural character, the administrator added.
