Shabby state reflects authorities' sheer negligence
Tuhin Shubhra Adhikary and Wasim Bin Habib
The metallic chain fencing in front of the memorial has long been
missing. Empty packets of potato chips and ice cream, soft drink cans,
disposable plastic cups, banana peels and paper waste lay strewn all
over the floor.
Weeds have grown on the boundary wall and at the edge of the stairs. Dry leaves and dead branches almost cover the entire concrete ground. The acrid smell of urine wafts out from a corner.
A closer look at the barely legible inscription on the decaying plaque nearby reveals that it is the memorial of Shaheed Dr Shamsul Alam Khan Milon. This is how a large number of memorials in the capital have been left to decay at the mercy of the weather and vandals.
Dr Milon, former joint secretary of Bangladesh Medical Association,
laid down his life to restore democracy during the anti-autocracy
movement in 1990 at this place located at the heart of Dhaka University.
The decrepit state of the monuments not only testifies to the sheer negligence on the authorities' part, it also says a lot about the sense of respect lacking in our society and poor appreciation of history.
Every year, government and non-government organisations hold events
to honour the nation's bravest souls and place wreaths at the monuments.
As days go by, everybody apparently forgets to take steps to preserve
the memorials.
"It is very unfortunate," said Mofidul Haque, a trustee of Liberation War Museum. The role of the authorities to protect the monuments is very crucial, but the responsibility of the general people is no less, he added.
"The memorials are the place where people come to show respect. I
feel bad when I see people and even the students of Dhaka University
have peanuts inside Dr Milon's memorial and leave the shells there."
Talking to The Daily Star, Supriya Das, acting estate manager of Dhaka University, acknowledged that the onus is on the university authorities to ensure the monument's upkeep.
"We usually clean the area ahead of any programme. There is no
designated person to guard it," she said, adding, "I will take the
matter into consideration."
She, however, said the authorities alone cannot ensure maintenance of the memorial. People should behave responsibly and help preserve the dignity of the place.
Like Dr Milon's memorial, many other monuments in the capital, built
in memory of the sacrifice of the valiant sons and daughters of the
soil, are in a dilapidated condition.
Shaheed Asad memorial, for example, was built in 1990 in front of Dhaka Medical College Hospital to recognise the contribution of Asaduzzaman who was killed by Pakistani forces during a mass upsurge in 1969 at the place.
Thanks to the negligence of the authorities, the memorial is now
barely recognisable except for the plaque that reads: "Asad Chetona
Chiro Bohoman; Rokto theke Rokte".
Recently, these correspondents found two youths leaning against the fence of the memorial. Asked if they knew about the place, one of them replied, "Yes I know, because I am a resident of this locality. It is Shaheed Asad's plaque."
Locals said whenever the Asad day comes, the entire area is cleaned
up. People place wreaths, give long speeches. For the rest of the year,
the place remains uncared for and a haven for drug addicts and
anti-social elements.
"This is not the only place. Go to [Central] Shaheed Minar, you will find how people are desecrating it," said the other youth named Monir.
To preserve the memories of Asad and the 1969 mass upsurge, the
authorities concerned decided to construct a museum outside the
emergency gate of the DMCH.
SMA Faiz, the then vice chancellor of DU, and Sadeque Hossain Khoka, former mayor of Dhaka City Corporation, had laid its foundation on January 20, 2008.
Construction of the two-storey building started in 2009 and was
supposed to be completed in June last year. Regrettably, the
construction has stopped more than a year ago for what the authorities
say are fund constraints.
"We are taking measures to complete the work despite the fund crisis," said Ansar Ali Khan, chief executive engineer of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC).
The historic Amtala, where the language movement activists gathered on February 21, 1952, has now become untraceable.
None will ever be able to know about the place unless he or she reads the signboard that hangs on the entrance gate (which often remains closed) of the DMCH.
A red arrow mark on the signboard indicates the place beneath -- a place now crammed with snacks shops.
"We have been selling snacks here for the last five years," said an employee of the shop. He, however, could not say anything about how he got the permission. "Ask our owner."
The Zero Point at the city's Gulistan was renamed Noor Hossain Chattar in memory of Noor Hossain who was gunned down by police at this place while participating in a procession against the then autocratic regime of HM Ershad on November 10, 1987.
Instead of reminding people of the youth's great sacrifice for restoration of democracy, the chattar, a concrete structure, remains completely obscured by banners and posters.
The condition of Shikkha Odhikar Chattar pillar is almost similar.
Shikkha Odhikar Chattar was built near High Court intersection in 2008 in memory of the sacrifices of Mostafa, Babul, Wajiullah and other students who were shot dead by police while protesting against the education commission formed during the Ayub Khan regime in 1962 and also those who were killed during the autocratic rule of Ershad.
Like Noor Hossain Chattar, it is also covered in posters, while the inscription on the plaque has started to fade.
On the Bangla Academy premises, a bust of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam stands all covered with droppings from trees overhead. It gets the authorities' attention only when the Ekushey book fair arrives.
Contacted, Bangla Academy Deputy Director (Public Relations) Murshid Anwar said, "We clean up the bust for the Boi Mela and on other occasions. From now on, we'll try to keep it clean always.”
A road stretching from Kataban to Hatirpool was named after Major MA Jalil, commander of sector-9 during the Liberation War. The memorial tablet has long been lying broken on the road divider at Kataban intersection. People cross the intersection often treading on the structure.
Another nameplate on the opposite side of the intersection is barely identifiable, as it stays cloaked in posters.
DSCC Chief Executive Engineer Ansar Ali said the city corporation is indeed responsible for keeping the memorials in good condition, but it does not have the capacity to deploy manpower at all the monuments.
He then added that the citizens too should play their part in the effort to preserve the sanctity of the memorials and show respect.
The
bust of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam at Bangla Academy is left in
appalling condition. All around the capital, the sculptures, memorials,
and plaques are left to the elements without care. The authorities who
are supposed to take care of them are least bothered while the people in
general seem to have little respect for those, even though most of them
were built to pay tribute to the finest people of the land. Photo: Sk
Enamul Haq
Weeds have grown on the boundary wall and at the edge of the stairs. Dry leaves and dead branches almost cover the entire concrete ground. The acrid smell of urine wafts out from a corner.
A closer look at the barely legible inscription on the decaying plaque nearby reveals that it is the memorial of Shaheed Dr Shamsul Alam Khan Milon. This is how a large number of memorials in the capital have been left to decay at the mercy of the weather and vandals.
The foundation plaque, of Doctor Milon Memorial at TSC is broken and shabby. Photo: SK ENAMUL HAQ
The decrepit state of the monuments not only testifies to the sheer negligence on the authorities' part, it also says a lot about the sense of respect lacking in our society and poor appreciation of history.
All
that is left of Shaheed Asad Memorial, near Dhaka Medical College
Hospital's emergency gate is a few iron rods poking out of a concrete
base. Photo: SK ENAMUL HAQ
"It is very unfortunate," said Mofidul Haque, a trustee of Liberation War Museum. The role of the authorities to protect the monuments is very crucial, but the responsibility of the general people is no less, he added.
Shaheed Dr Milon Memorial near TSC
Talking to The Daily Star, Supriya Das, acting estate manager of Dhaka University, acknowledged that the onus is on the university authorities to ensure the monument's upkeep.
Anti-imperialism Soliderity Memorial near Jatiya Press Club
She, however, said the authorities alone cannot ensure maintenance of the memorial. People should behave responsibly and help preserve the dignity of the place.
The sculpture of herons at Motijheel
Shaheed Asad memorial, for example, was built in 1990 in front of Dhaka Medical College Hospital to recognise the contribution of Asaduzzaman who was killed by Pakistani forces during a mass upsurge in 1969 at the place.
The tablet of Sector Commander MA Jalil Road at Kantaban
Recently, these correspondents found two youths leaning against the fence of the memorial. Asked if they knew about the place, one of them replied, "Yes I know, because I am a resident of this locality. It is Shaheed Asad's plaque."
Shikkha Odhikar Chattar near the Court High intersection
"This is not the only place. Go to [Central] Shaheed Minar, you will find how people are desecrating it," said the other youth named Monir.
Shaheed Noor Hossain Chattar at Zero point in Gulistan
SMA Faiz, the then vice chancellor of DU, and Sadeque Hossain Khoka, former mayor of Dhaka City Corporation, had laid its foundation on January 20, 2008.
Historic Amtala beside the emergency gate of DMCH
"We are taking measures to complete the work despite the fund crisis," said Ansar Ali Khan, chief executive engineer of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC).
Foundation plaque of Asad Sarani near DMCH
None will ever be able to know about the place unless he or she reads the signboard that hangs on the entrance gate (which often remains closed) of the DMCH.
A red arrow mark on the signboard indicates the place beneath -- a place now crammed with snacks shops.
"We have been selling snacks here for the last five years," said an employee of the shop. He, however, could not say anything about how he got the permission. "Ask our owner."
The Zero Point at the city's Gulistan was renamed Noor Hossain Chattar in memory of Noor Hossain who was gunned down by police at this place while participating in a procession against the then autocratic regime of HM Ershad on November 10, 1987.
Instead of reminding people of the youth's great sacrifice for restoration of democracy, the chattar, a concrete structure, remains completely obscured by banners and posters.
The condition of Shikkha Odhikar Chattar pillar is almost similar.
Shikkha Odhikar Chattar was built near High Court intersection in 2008 in memory of the sacrifices of Mostafa, Babul, Wajiullah and other students who were shot dead by police while protesting against the education commission formed during the Ayub Khan regime in 1962 and also those who were killed during the autocratic rule of Ershad.
Like Noor Hossain Chattar, it is also covered in posters, while the inscription on the plaque has started to fade.
On the Bangla Academy premises, a bust of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam stands all covered with droppings from trees overhead. It gets the authorities' attention only when the Ekushey book fair arrives.
Contacted, Bangla Academy Deputy Director (Public Relations) Murshid Anwar said, "We clean up the bust for the Boi Mela and on other occasions. From now on, we'll try to keep it clean always.”
A road stretching from Kataban to Hatirpool was named after Major MA Jalil, commander of sector-9 during the Liberation War. The memorial tablet has long been lying broken on the road divider at Kataban intersection. People cross the intersection often treading on the structure.
Another nameplate on the opposite side of the intersection is barely identifiable, as it stays cloaked in posters.
DSCC Chief Executive Engineer Ansar Ali said the city corporation is indeed responsible for keeping the memorials in good condition, but it does not have the capacity to deploy manpower at all the monuments.
He then added that the citizens too should play their part in the effort to preserve the sanctity of the memorials and show respect.
Published: 12:03 am Saturday, November 22, 2014
Last modified: 1:21 am Saturday, November 22, 2014
