A TWO-year programme for the celebration of 400 years of Dhaka as capital is being [observed]…. The programme was inaugurated in August 2010 amid songs, dances and release of balloons and pigeons…. There is confusion about the exact date of Dhaka’s elevation from a small town to a provincial capital. Some historians … maintain that Mughal Subedar Islam Khan proclaimed Dhaka as the capital of Bengal in 1608. A website says that the date was July 16, 1608. Dhaka was also renamed as Jahangirnagar after the Mughal Emperor Jahangir. But some historians say Dhaka was made the capital in 1610….

Dhaka city possesses a rich history, tradition and heritage. Almost all nations of the world try their best to preserve and uphold their history, culture and tradition. We too, as a nation, take pride in our glorious history as well as rich tradition and heritage, but unfortunately we are not sincere enough in upholding them properly. The massive negligence meted out to Dhaka … and its glorious past is an … example of our apathy. Dhaka is our favourite city. Dhaka has emerged now as a mega city, but it is one of the world’s dirtiest … cities. It is plagued by instability and poor infrastructure besides lack of proper civic amenities, especially adequate utility services. Perhaps in no other city in the world [do] so many people live in such limited spaces and in such appalling condition.

Against this backdrop, while dealing with this great city’s history, past glory and heritage in [the] course of the celebration of 400 years of Dhaka we must not forget … its gloomy present and uncertain future. The grand celebration will be meaningful only if we can make Dhaka a modern city with all facilities and amenities of the 21st century. And that should be the pledge of all. — (March 5)