Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) organised the Dhaka Heritage Run on Saturday morning to showcase the capital’s rich history, heritage and cultural landmarks and foster a sense of love and responsibility among citizens towards the city.
The event was organised as part of the month-long “Hridoye Dhaka 416” festival, being held from 1 August to 5 September to mark Dhaka’s 416th anniversary and Dhaka Day on 1 August, reads a press release.
Youth and Sports State Minister Md Aminul Haque inaugurated the rally as the chief guest at 7am from Motijheel.
Dhaka-7 lawmaker Hamidur Rahman attended as a special guest, while DSCC Administrator Md Abdus Salam chaired the programme.
More than 1,000 citizens took part in the Heritage Run.
The rally began at Motijheel Shapla Chattar and passed through Kakrail intersection, Ramna, Shahbagh intersection, Katabon intersection, Dhaka University, Palashi intersection, Lalbagh Fort and Shahidnagar intersection before ending at Swarighat launch terminal.
DSCC awarded medals and certificates to every participating runner.
Speaking as the chief guest, the state minister said, “To build our new Bangladesh, the honourable Prime Minister has given the highest importance to sports, and similarly, he has also emphasised preserving our heritage.”
He said, “The DSCC administrator has taken a very appropriate initiative by embracing that heritage. I believe this event will make our history and heritage more familiar to the new generation.”
In his speech, Abdus said, “My main objective was—my city Dhaka, which I should be proud of. By participating in today’s Heritage Run, you have seen the real picture of different areas of Dhaka.
Somewhere there are good roads, somewhere they are broken, somewhere muddy due to rain—this is the reality of Dhaka. Within this reality, we have to make the lives of city dwellers better.”
He said, “There is no alternative to cleanliness. If city dwellers do not throw waste here and there, and if businesses and residents cooperate, it is possible to keep Dhaka more beautiful. The officers and employees of the city corporation must also ensure the highest level of service according to their responsibilities.”
Mentioning that the event was organised for the first time, he said there could be shortcomings and that these would be corrected in the future as such an event would be organised every year.
He said there are plans to develop Old Dhaka as a tourist destination, as well as create dedicated lanes for cycling and paths suitable for walking and running.
Abdus said, “I will perform my responsibility, you will perform yours. If everyone performs their respective responsibilities, this Dhaka city will become more beautiful. Come, let us see—this is my Dhaka city. I have to live in this city, so I have to make the city more beautiful.”
Upcoming events under ‘Hridoye Dhaka 416’
- 16-22 August: Stage plays on Dhaka at Zahir Raihan Cultural Centre auditorium in Sutrapur.
- 21 August: Traditional boat race from Khola Mora Ghat to Wise Ghat.
- 21 August: Heritage cruise for tourists aboard a 100-year-old special heritage vessel at Sadarghat.
- 22 August: Screening of old films made about Dhaka at Madhumita Cinema Hall.
- 21-30 August: The Great Dhaka Sale at shopping centres in Dhaka.
- 21-30 August: “Love Letter to Dhaka”, inviting citizens to submit letters expressing their emotions and love for Dhaka.
- 21-28 August: Stage plays on Dhaka at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.
- 23-29 August: Broadcast of old dramas and other programmes made about Dhaka on Bangladesh Television.
- 24 August: “Hridoye Dhaka” festival viewed from a bird’s-eye perspective by helicopter from the helipad of Zainul Haque Sikder Women’s Medical College and Hospital in North Dhanmondi.
- 28 August: Dhaka procession from Laxmibazar to Nagar Bhaban featuring horse-drawn carriages, rickshaws, vintage cars and palanquins.
- 29 August: The festival’s formal inauguration is scheduled at 4pm at Lalbagh Fort by Prime Minister of the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh Tarique Rahman. A special cleanliness, mosquito-control and tree-planting programme will also be launched to implement the “Clean City, Green City” initiative.
- 30 August: Kite festival, a special “Dhaka Adda” and an entertaining cultural programme, including traditional Qawwali, at Lalbagh Fort.
- 1 September: Prize distribution for a painting competition for children and children with special needs at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, followed by an open art camp attended by renowned artists of the country.
- 5 September: A traditional Panchayeti Adda of Old Dhaka at Alamganj Jetty.
DSCC has called on citizens to participate in the “Hridoye Dhaka 416” celebrations with a sense of pride, responsibility and festivity amid their busy daily lives.
