The foundation stone for what is being described as the world’s largest idol of Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge and the arts, among other things, was laid at Jagannath Hall of the University of Dhaka (DU) on Sunday evening, according to a press release issued today by the university.
DU Vice-Chancellor Dr. A B M Obaidul Islam laid the foundation stone of the permanent idol at a ceremony held at the Rabindra Bhaban premises of Jagannath Hall on November 8, attending the event as the chief guest.
The programme was presided over by Jagannath Hall Provost Dr. Debashish Pal.
Retired professor Dr. Sukomal Barua, President of the Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad Basudeb Dhar, its General Secretary Santosh Sharma, President of the Dhaka Mahanagar Sarbojanin Puja Committee Gopal Chandra Debnath, its General Secretary Shubhashish Kumar Biswas (Sadhan), and leaders of the Jagannath Hall Students' Union and Jagannath Hall unit of Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal also addressed the programme.
Speaking on the occasion, Professor A B M Obaidul Islam said people of all religions live in Bangladesh in an atmosphere of peace and harmony and practise their respective religious rituals without hindrance.
"We want to build a Bangladesh where there will be no communal conflict. Everyone will be able to express themselves with equal rights and live as enlightened citizens," he said.