Dhaka University
DU student drowns in dormitory pond
A student of Dhaka University and a resident of its Sergeant Zahurl Haq hall drowned in a pond of the dormitory on Sunday.
The deceased was identified as Polash Ahmed, 22,a third year student of Department of Anthropology and hailing from Jamalpur.
Also read: Schoolboy drowns in city pond
Polash’s friends rescued him from the pond and took him to Dhaka Medical college hospital.
He breathed his last at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the hospital around 2:30 pm, said Bacchu Mia, in-charge of DMCH police outpost.
Saidul Kader, a witness, said, “Palash Ahmed drowned in the pond while he was taking bath. Some students of the hall rescued him before the fire service team arrived."
DU student assaulted ‘by BCL man’ for not offering salam
A student of Dhaka University was assaulted allegedly by an activist of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) at Masterda Surja Sen Hall for not greeting him by saying salam.
Sajjadul Haque Sayedee, a student of Department of Anthropology of 2018-19 academic session and a resident student of Surya Sen Hall, lodged a written complaint against Mankiur Rahman, a student of Political Science department and a follower of Chhatra League general secretary of the hall unit Siam Rahman, with the hall administration regarding the physical assault.
Also read:DU student 'assaulted' for missing BCL event ahead of hall conference
"On Tuesday night, I was attending an online class at that time when some BCL activists stepped into my room. As I was busy in my class I couldn't greet them by saying salam. Being angered, BCL activist Manikur Rahman slapped me and kicked me", he wrote in his letter.
“Manikur scolded me and my roommates for not attending their programme and threatened me for not greeting them. When I stood up after disconnecting the Zoom link, he slapped me and kicked me in the chest and threw me away," he added.
Manikur did not receive the phone call when the correspondent tried to contact him for comment.
Also read: DU student allegedly thrashed by Jagannath Hall Chhatra League leader
Admitting the incident of beating, Chhatra League general secretary of the hall unit Siam Rahman said ,"The incident that happened last night is totally unexpected. I will settle the issue with them this afternoon."
Surya Sen hall provost prof. Mokbul Hossen Vuiyan said, " I have received the complaint letter and formed a three-member probe committee to investigate the incident within three working days. Action will be taken if the allegation is proved true."
35 hurt in BCL-JCD clash in Dhaka
More than 35 people were injured in back-to-back clashes between activists of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) and Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) in Dhaka's Central Shaheed Minar area on Tuesday.
“So far, some 35 people have received first aid for injuries from the first clash at Dhaka Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) but none has been admitted yet," said Bacchu Mia, inspector in-charge of DMCH police outpost.
According to witnesses, the JCD members were rallying towards Dhaka University (DU) around 9.30am when some BCL activists attacked them near the Shaheed Minar area, resulting in a chase, a counter-chase and throwing of brick chips between the two groups before they dispersed near the campus.
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DU scraps trust fund in late Holiday editor’s name
Dhaka University authority has scrapped a recently formed trust fund in the name of AZM Enayetullah Khan, the late editor of the weekly 'Holiday' magazine after facing extreme criticism.
The university authorities has declared that there will be no effectiveness and acceptance of the trust fund anymore as Enayetullah Khan was alleged of leaking confidential information of war during liberation war and humiliated Bangabandhu in his writings.
DU vice chancellor Md Akhtaruzzaman said, "Establishing a fund in the name of such a person is contradictory to the ideology and values of the university."
Rashed Khan Menon, brother of Enayetullah Khan and also the president of Bangladesh Workers Party, launched this fund to be established at Dhaka University's Mass Communication and Journalism Department.
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“But after being informed about some of Enayetullah's previous activities, we decided to scrap the trust fund," the VC added.
On 10 May, Nasreen Zaman, daughter AZM Enayetullah Khan, formally handed over a cheque of Tk 2.5 million to DU treasurer Prof. Mamtaz Uddin Ahmed to set up the 'Enayetullah Khan Memorial Trust Fund' in the presence of Rashed Khan Menon, DU Registrar Prabir Kumar Sarker, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences Prof. Dr. Zia Rahman, and Chairman of the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism Dr. Abul Mansur Ahmed at vice chancellor's lounge
After the establishment of the fund, some news media reported about the unethical activities of Enayetullah Khan, and then VC ordered to scrap the fund.
DU pro VC (administration) Mohammad Samad said, “After the brutal assassination of Bangabandhu and his family members, an article written by Niaz Zaman, titled 'The Majors killed the serpent and most of its eggs except the daughters who were abroad' was published at Enayetullah Khan's edited newsweekly 'Holiday'”
Also read: Legal notice served on Dhaka University for barring married students from halls
"I was shocked that a trust fund was set up at Dhaka University, the birthplace of independence in the name of that journalist whose newsweekly addressed Bangabandhu as a serpent," he added.
Eminent lyricist, journalist KG Mostafa passes away
Renowned lyricist KG Mostafa (84), the legendary lyricist of numerous evergreen songs from the golden era of Bengali cinema, passed away on Sunday night. He was 84 years old.
A senior member of the National Press Club, Mostafa breathed his last at his home in Azimpur at 8 pm on Sunday, according to National Press Club Joint Secretary Ashraf Ali Ashraf.
His namaz-e-janaza will be held on Monday at the premises of Press Club after Zuhr prayers, Ashraf informed.
Born on July 1st, 1936, in Begumganj of Noakhali district, KG Mostafa completed his Alma Matters from the Department of Bangla at Dhaka University. He then began his career as a lyricist and journalist.
KG Mostafa is known for writing many popular songs, including “Tomare Legeche Eto Je Bhalo, Chaand Bujhi Ta Jaane” from the movie 'Rajdhanir Buke' (1960) starring Rahman-Shabnam. This iconic track was composed by Pakistani-Bangladeshi playback singer and film music composer Robin Ghosh and sung by famous Indian singer Talat Mahmood.
Another of his popular songs is “Aayna Te Oi Mukh Dekhbe Jokhon,” composed by Robin Ghosh and sung by eminent Bangladeshi playback singer Mahmudun Nabi. This song was used in the movie 'Nacher Putul' (1971) starring the popular on-screen duo Razzak and Shabnam.
"Ogo Lajuk Lata," "Shohorbashi Shono" are some of the other popular songs penned by KG Mostafa.
In his esteemed career, KG Mostafa worked as a prominent journalist, columnist and poet. He was the editor of ‘Shachitra Bangladesh’ magazine.
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Amid tight security, Pahela Boisakh celebrated in DU
Dhaka University (DU) Thursday celebrated Pahela Baishakh, the first day of the Bangla calendar, amid tight security measures.
A three-layer security cordon was put in place during the mangal shova yatra, with Rapid Action Battalion, SWAT and Dhaka Metropolitan Police keeping a hawk-eyed vigil to ensure a peaceful procession.
State minister for culture KM Khalid and DU Vice-Chancellor Prof Md Akhtaruzzaman led the procession that began from the Student-Teacher Centre of the university at 9am and culminated at the same place.
"To build a harmonious, non-communal and humane society, such cultural festivals are very important," the V-C said.
Pahela Baishakh: After two years lost to Covid, familiar celebrations awaited at DU
After a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, Dhaka University is all set to welcome the Bengali New Year 1429 with the vibrancy and festivity usually associated with Pahela Baishakh on April 14 (Thursday).
Regarded as the educational and socio-cultural hub of the country, Dhaka University and its Faculty of Fine Arts (FFA), better known as Charukala, are preparing to observe this year’s Pahela Baishakh for the last couple of weeks.
As this year’s Pahela Baishakh is knocking on the door to be celebrated with great enthusiasm after an unfortunate two-year break with restrictions on public gatherings and celebrations of public programmes in 2020 and 2021, this year the DU authority alongside its teachers and students has geared up to welcome the return of the festivities in the campus arena.
Also read:Pahela Baishakh celebrations must end by 2 pm: DMP Commissioner
Traditionally, every year Dhaka University celebrates this national function with festive traits by arranging different sorts of functions including the colourful procession called the “Mangal Shobhajatra” (March of Good Tidings). The flagship procession was inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2016.
DU to celebrate Bengali New year with 'Mangal Shobhajatra' after 2 years
The Dhaka University (DU) authorities has announced a roadmap to celebrate Pahela Baishakh, the first day of Bengali New Year, with traditional 'Mangal Shobhajatra' on April 14 after a two- year break.
The flagship procession from Dhaka University’s Faculty of Fine Arts (FFA) which was inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2016, was not held in 1427 due to the emergence of the COVID-19 global pandemic, and the FFA organized a symbolic procession on its premises in the following year due to lockdown during the period.
Read:Sights, sounds of Pahela Baishakh to return to Ramna after two years
The details regarding this year's celebration were announced in a meeting chaired by DU Vice Chancellor Prof Akhtaruzzaman, held at the Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate building on Sunday.
At the meeting, it was announced that this year's 'Mangal Shobhajatra' will start from the university's Teacher-Student Centre (TSC) premises at 9 am.
The procession will be brought out from the Sarak Deep area of the TSC as the road in front of the FFA has been narrowed due to the ongoing construction work of Metro Rail.
After parading the 'Memory Eternal' monument premises of the university, the Shobhajatra will end at TSC premises on the campus.
The meeting committee also announced that the festivity must be concluded within 5 pm and public entrance would be restricted on the campus area after that.
Evaluating the present context of COVID-19 in the country as well as the month of Holy Ramadan, the authorities requested the citizens to limit the public gatherings in this year's procession.
Alongside requesting everyone to maintain proper hygiene, the authorities announced that festive masks and bags cannot be carried on campus. However, masks made by the Faculty of Fine Arts can be carried.
Furthermore, it was declared that playing and selling of the Vuvuzela flute at this year's event will be strictly prohibited.
On the day of Pahela Baishakh, movement of the procession-goers and others via the gate of Suhrawardy Udyan behind the Raju sculpture will be restricted. However, the FFA entrance in front of the Suhrawardy Udyan, the adjoining gate of the Engineering Institute and the entrance of Suhrawardy Udyan in front of the Bangla Academy will remain open for the citizens.
Vehicles without DU authorized stickers will not be allowed on campus after 7 pm on April 13, as well as on the day of the Pahela Baishakh.
Residents on the campus area can use the road to Nilkhet and Palashi intersection for their transportation using their own vehicles.
The committee requested police to install CCTV cameras and archways on the campus to ensure the security inside the campus area during the festivities.
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Mobile public toilets will be set up in the area adjacent to Haji Muhammad Muhsin Hall, the area adjacent to TSC (Student-Teacher Center) the area around Doyel Chattar and Curzon Hall, the committee said at the meeting.
Now cemented as one of the most vivid and significant additions to the Bengali New Year celebration in the country, the DU Faculty of Fine Arts have been celebrating the traditional 'Mangal Shobhajatra' since 1989.
Promote us, demand students of DU affiliated colleges by blocking busy Dhaka crossing
First-year students of seven government colleges affiliated to Dhaka University blocked the busy Nilkhet intersection on Wednesday morning, demanding they be promoted without holding any further exams.
The students took to the streets around 11.30am and staged demonstrations for nearly one-and-a-half hours, disrupting morning rush-hour traffic in the area.
"How can they hold exams, given the fact that for the past one year we have not attended any physical classes due to the pandemic," asked Mehedi Hasan Milon, a first-year student of department of philosophy of Government Suhrawardy College.
Read: Legal notice served on Dhaka University for barring married students from halls
Mosaddek of the Bangla department of Government Titumir College also demanded a promotion to the second year.
Aound 1pm, the students dispersed after they got some assurance from the colleges that their demands would be looked into.
Dagger attack on running bus : DU student injured
A student of Dhaka University has been badly injured after a mugger attacked him with a dagger on a running bus on Wednesday afternoon.
Injured Mahbub Hossain is a 4th year student of IER and also resident of Bijoy Ekattor Hall. He was taken to Dhaka medical college hospital for treatment as his condition worsened with bleeding.
READ: DU student accuses a BCL activist of slapping him
"While the snatcher tried to grab a mobile phone from a female student of Hemonto university bus, Mahbub and some other passengers caught him. The snatcher then stabbed Mahbub and injured him", Jobair Ahmed, who brought snatchers to the police station, wrote in a Facebook group.
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"The culprit and one of his assistants have been taken to Dhanmondi police station but no case has been filed yet", Officer in charge of Dhanmondi police station, Akram Ali Miah said.