Staff Reporter:
Dhaka University (DU) yesterday observed the historic ‘Flag Hoisting Day’ with due enthusiasm.
The event was held on the Bot Tala premises in the presence of teachers and students. Vice-Chancellor (VC) Prof Dr. Niaz Ahmed Khan inaugurated the program by hoisting the national flag.
Pro-Vice Chancellor (Admin) Prof Dr. Sayema Haque Bidisha presided over the function while Pro-Vice Chancellor (Education) Prof Dr. Mamun Ahmed and Treasurer Prof Dr. M. Jahangir Alam Chow-dhury spoke as special guests.
Coordinator of the program and Dean of the Faculty of Arts Professor Dr Md Siddiqur Rahman Khan delivered the welcome address where acting Registrar Munshi Shams Uddin Ahmed conducted the pro-gram.
In his speech, the Vice-Chancellor highlighted the importance of continuity of history and milestones in the nation’s journey. He said these milestones shape a nation’s identity and sharpen its unity, conscious-ness and sense of responsibility.
Expressing gratitude to all who contributed to the nation’s glorious journey, he said the country remem-bers their contributions with deep respect and acknowledged its debt to them. The Dhaka University would always stand beside the country and its people; he said and emphasized the need to uphold nation-al unity. He expressed his hope that the national flag would continue to keep the nation united.
In her speech, Pro-Vice Chancellor Prof Dr. Sayema Haque Bidisha said the historical context of the flag hoisting reminds the nation of the beginning of the Liberation War. She said the green in the flag symbolized the lush landscape of Bangladesh and its youth, while the red circle reflects the blood and sacrifices of the martyrs.
Speaking as a special guest, Pro-Vice Chancellor Prof Dr. Mamun Ahmed said the formation of the Stu-dent Action Committee on March 1, 1971 and the historic hoisting of the flag at the Arts Building prem-ises on March 2 gave an organized shape to the independence movement. The flag bearing a red disc and the golden map on a green background symbolized the spirit of the Liberation War and independent Bangladesh, he said.
Treasurer Prof Dr. M. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said the pledge of independence declared through the courageous hoisting of the flag in 1971 reached its culmination with the great Victory on December 16.
Dean of the Faculty of Arts Prof Dr. Mohammad Siddiqur Rahman Khan said the red-and-green national flag is a visible symbol of Bangladesh’s identity, its blood-stained history of independence and sacrifice.
He noted that the Dhaka University is not just an educational institution; from the Language Movement to the Liberation War and recent democratic movements, it has played a leading role in every national struggle.
On the occasion, students of the university’s Music and Dance departments performed the national an-them, patriotic songs and dance recitals.
