Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Mayor Atiqul Islam Friday said that the target is to make Dhaka city an inclusive one where everybody can enjoy their rights. The interpersonal connectivity and relationship among neighbours will improve through community parties and gatherings with a combined display of culture, heritage, tradition and games, which is missing in today's daily life, the mayor added. He was delivering inaugural speech of the Para Utshob at Gulshan in the city as the chief guest.
Prime Minister's Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman F Rahman and US Ambassador to Bangladesh Earl R Miller were also present on the occasion. Gulshan Society and DNCC jointly organised the neighborhood event titled 'Para Utshob' to revive the connectivity and amity in the Gulshan community with support of Heroes for All. Atiqul Islam said this type of community events creates scope for games and interpersonal connectivity for all the members and they can learn about many other things like traffic rules, mental health and other civic issues.
“I want one street car free once in a week so that people can take a walk under the open sky and come close to know each other. From that concept Para Uthshob is done and it will be held in every ward gradually,” he said.
Salman F Rahman said all the indicators of Dhaka city are in bad condition in international standard. The government can work to upgrade the indicators up to a certain level. The rest responsibility lies with the citizens. The most difficult problem of Dhaka city is waste collection and disposal, he observed. Earl Miller said this kind of block parties and street parties are common in New York.
In Bangladesh, sometimes a neighbour hardly knows another neighbour, he added. Local MP Nahid Ezaher called upon the guardians to come under the open sky along with their children by leaving the gadgets. Councilor Mofizur Rahman said this type of festivals should be organised at ward level.
Azizul Islam of Alif Group said this event will continue in the same road or the other in every week or every Friday. Green Delta Insurance managing director Farzanah Chowdhury said this kind of event is creative and innovative which creates scope for awareness about what is happening around and what people can do as a community.
It is very good for bonding among neighbours creating a sense of responsibility towards not only the family but also to a community, she added. The day's activities included competitions, traditional street games, open-mike sessions show-casing the talented neighbours, storytelling corners, fun street games for all, health & well-being info stalls, variety stalls, mini-workshops on arts and crafts, meet and greet space to create a joyful atmosphere.
Gulshan Society, MTB Bank, Green Delta Insurance, AKij Food & Beverage, Euro Vigil Pvt Ltd, Rahimafrooz, ABC Milk, Aqua Paint, Flowater, Alif Group, Chaldal, AamraWifi, K-sport, Top of Mind sponsored the programme. The organisers said urban living has pushed most people into a sense of isolation where neighbours are disconnected and often strangers to each other weakening one of the most important social institutions which are the neighborhood communities.
'Para Utshob' is going to be held with the aim to revitalise the relationship among the community members. Dr Rehnuma Karim, faculty of State University of New York, Founder of Heroes for All; Shayaan Sheraj, Convener of Traffic Management & Civic Utilities from Gulshan Society; and Tajrina Manna, Founder of Merill & Forbes and also one of Board of Directors of Heroes for All envisioned the programme with support from the DNCC mayor.
