DU celebrates Independence Day with daylong programmes

Dhaka University celebrated Independence Day with due dignity on Thursday through a series of programmes across the campus.

The day’s programme began at sunrise with the hoisting of the national flag at all central buildings, residential halls and hostels. At 5:45am, teachers, students, officers, employees and alumni gathered at Smriti Chirantan Chattar and marched to the National Memorial at 6am under the leadership of Vice-Chancellor ABM Obaidul Islam, where they placed wreaths to pay tribute to the martyrs.

Among others present were Pro-Vice Chancellor (Administration) Sayema Haque Bidisha, Treasurer M Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, the proctor, deans of different faculties, provosts, department chairmen, institute directors, and teachers and officials at different levels.

Marking the occasion, a special prayer was held after Zuhr at the university’s central mosque, Masjidul Jamia, seeking eternal peace for the departed souls of the martyrs. Similar prayers were arranged at other places of worship. Sweets were also distributed among children of university employees.

As part of the cultural programmes, songs, recitations and dance performances based on the Liberation War are scheduled to be held at the Teacher-Student Centre (TSC) auditorium at 6:30pm.

To highlight the significance of the day, a discussion titled ‘Significance of the Great Independence and National Day’ will be held at the TSC auditorium at 11:30am on Sunday. The vice-chancellor will preside over the event, while the pro-vice chancellor (administration) and treasurer will attend as guests of honour.

Meanwhile, the Dhaka University unit of Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal also observed the day with a separate programme. Around 10am, its leaders and activists paid tribute at the grave of martyred president Ziaur Rahman and offered Fateha and special prayers.

More than a hundred leaders and activists, including President Ganesh Chandra Roy Sahos and General Secretary Nahiduzzaman Shipon, attended the programme.

Speaking on the occasion, the leaders reaffirmed their commitment to upholding the spirit of the 1971 Liberation War and working towards independence, sovereignty and democracy.