Dhaka Heritage Cycle Rally celebrates city’s 416-year history

Around 300 cyclists rode through historic landmarks in the capital on Friday as Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) began a month-long celebration of Dhaka’s 416-year heritage and cultural legacy.

The Dhaka Heritage Cycle Rally, which started at 7:00am from the historic Dhaka Gate, was organised as part of the ‘Hridoye Dhaka 416’ festival, running from August 1 to September 5.

State Minister for Road Transport and Highways, and Railways Habibur Rashid Habib inaugurated the rally as the chief guest, while Dhaka-7 MP Hamidur Rahman attended as a special guest. DSCC Administrator Abdus Salam chaired the programme.

The rally passed through some of the capital’s prominent historic and civic landmarks before ending at Nagar Bhaban.

Starting from Dhaka Gate, the cyclists travelled through TSC intersection, Shahbagh intersection, Bata Signal, Science Lab intersection, Nilkhet intersection, Azimpur intersection, Etimkhana intersection, Dhakeshwari Temple, Madrasah Education Board, Bakshibazar intersection, Central Shaheed Minar, Secretariat, National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery and Bangabazar intersection.
Each participant received a medal and certificate from the DSCC.

Addressing the rally, State Minister Habib said Dhaka was the city of their hearts and a bearer of the country’s history and heritage.

“Bangladesh’s future is centred around Dhaka. Therefore, we have to build a safe, clean and liveable Dhaka,” he said, stressing the need for a city where every citizen feels safe and enjoys a comfortable environment.

DSCC Administrator Salam said strengthening citizens’ emotional bond with Dhaka and their sense of ownership of the capital had become a pressing need.

He said many citizens had yet to develop the desired attachment and responsible civic consciousness towards Dhaka because of inadequate familiarity and engagement with its history, heritage and cultural diversity.

The main objective of the initiative, he said, was to present Dhaka’s history, heritage and culture to citizens in a new way and inspire greater love, ownership and responsibility towards the city.
The festival will feature a series of events across the capital.

A Dhaka Heritage Run will be held on August 15 from Motijheel Shapla Chattar to Buriganga Mancha at Swarighat.

A theatre festival featuring stage productions based on Dhaka will take place at the Zahir Raihan Cultural Centre auditorium in Sutrapur from August 16 to 22.

A traditional boat race will be held from Kholamora Ghat to Wais Ghat on August 21, while a special heritage cruise on a century-old vessel will also leave Sadarghat on the same day.

Old films made on Dhaka will be screened at Madhumita Cinema Hall on August 22.
‘The Great Dhaka Sale’ will take place at shopping centres across Dhaka from August 21 to 30. During the same period, citizens will be invited to submit letters expressing their emotions and love for the city under the ‘Love Letter to Dhaka’ initiative.

Stage plays on Dhaka will also be staged at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy from August 21 to 28, while Bangladesh Television will broadcast old dramas and other programmes featuring Dhaka from August 23 to 29.

A special aerial view of the ‘Hridoye Dhaka 416’ festival will be showcased through helicopter flights from the helipad of Zainul Haque Sikder Women’s Medical College Hospital in North Dhanmondi on August 24.

A Dhaka procession featuring horse-drawn carriages, rickshaws, vintage cars and palanquins will travel from Lakshmibazar to Nagar Bhaban on August 28.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will formally inaugurate the festival at Lalbagh Fort at 4:00pm on August 29.

A special cleanliness, mosquito-control and tree-plantation programme will also be launched as part of the ‘Clean City, Green City’ initiative.

A kite festival, special ‘Dhaka Adda’ and an evening cultural programme featuring traditional qawwali will be held at Lalbagh Fort on August 30.

On September 1, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy will host an awards ceremony for a painting competition for children and children with special needs, alongside an open art camp featuring renowned artists.

The festival will conclude on September 5 with a traditional ‘Panchayeti Adda’ of Old Dhaka residents at Alamganj Jetty.

The DSCC has urged citizens to take part in the celebrations with a spirit of pride, responsibility and festivity despite their busy daily lives.