On the 109th anniversary of the historic Carmichael College, the entire campus has been transformed into a vibrant festival and reunion fair for the institution’s current and former teachers and students.
Hundreds of young and old teachers and students began gathering at the college, one of the country’s oldest educational institutions, in a festive atmosphere from the morning, to celebrate the occasion with two-day colourful programmes.
On the occasion of the foundation anniversary, the college campus has been decorated with lights and the heritage buildings cleaned.
The celebrations on the first day of the 109th anniversary of the glorious journey on Monday began with a colourful procession, discussion meeting, remembrances, cake cutting and a pleasant cultural programme.
The day-long events began at 10am on Monday with the hoisting of the flag at the GL (Gopal Lal) Hostel ground of the college campus, surrounded by sight-beholding greenery.
Former principal of the college, Prof Muhammad Rezaul Haq, inaugurated the programme by releasing balloons and pigeons as the chief guest.
Later, a colourful procession, with the participation of hundreds of teachers and students of all ages of the institution circled the college campus.
After participating the rally, former and incumbent teachers and students, along with well-wishers, enjoyed the discussion cake cutting and cultural programme organised marking the 109th anniversary.
Incumbent Principal of Carmichael College Prof Md Mostafizur Rahman presided over the programme.
Rangpur Government Teachers’ Training College Principal Prof Md Amjad Hossain, Government Begum Rokeya College Principal Prof Md Ismail Hossain Sarkar, Government City College Principal Prof Md Borhan Uddin, Carmichael College Vice-principal Prof Md Habibur Rahman, Secretary of the College Teachers’ Council Prof Dilip Kumar Roy were present as special guests.
After the discussions, cultural organisations rendered colourful programmes featuring songs, dances, recitations and debates and acting enthralling thousands of former and incumbent students and teachers of the institution.
Convener of the 109th Foundation Anniversary Celebration Committee Prof Md Saifur Rahman said that Carmichael College is a history that has witnessed various contexts including British rule, Pakistani exploitation and the movement and struggle for the creation of Bangladesh.
“The glory and achievements of Carmichael College in its hundred years are unforgettable. The entire campus has become a gathering place for young and old teachers and students to celebrate the foundation anniversary,” he said.
He also said that on the concluding day on Tuesday of this two-day event, Rangpur Range DIG of Bangladesh Police Aminul Islam, Rangpur Metropolitan Police Commissioner Md Majid Ali and other dignitaries will be present as guests.
The then Governor Lord Thomas David Baron Carmichael of undivided Bengal visited Rangpur in 1913, when the demand for the establishment of the college was raised in his reception ceremony.
Later, the Governor laid the foundation stone of Carmichael College on 10 November, 1916. The college was named Carmichael College after him.
Carmichael College was built on 900 acres of land donated by the landlords and education enthusiasts of Rangpur, Lalmonirhat, Kurigram, Nilphamari and Gaibandha districts.
This educational institution affiliated with the National University (NU) currently has about 30,000 students studying in 19 departments at higher secondary, degree, undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
During the British colonial era, this educational institution had a glorious history in providing higher education opportunities to students from the then Rangpur, Dinajpur region, Jalpaiguri, Assam, and adjacent regions of undivided India.
