A “Dhaka Heritage Cycle Rally” was held in the capital on Friday morning as part of a month-long festival aimed at highlighting Dhaka’s rich history, heritage and cultural legacy, and strengthening citizens’ sense of ownership and responsibility towards the city.

The rally was organised by Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC), starting at 7:00am from the historic Dhaka Gate.

State Minister for Road Transport and Highways, and Railways Habibur Rashid Habib inaugurated the rally as the chief guest, while Dhaka-7 MP Hamidur Rahman attended as a special guest with DSCC Administrator Abdus Salam in the chair.

Around 300 citizens took part in the cycle rally arranged as part of “Hridoye Dhaka 416” festival, being held from August 1 to September 5 to mark the 416th anniversary of Dhaka.

Starting from the Dhaka Gate, the rally passed through TSC intersection, Shahbagh intersection, Bata Signal, Science Lab intersection, Nilkhet intersection, Azimpur intersection, Etimkhana intersection, Dhakeshwari Temple, Madrasah Education Board, Bakshibazar intersection, Central Shaheed Minar, Secretariat, National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery and Bangabazar intersection before ending at Nagar Bhaban.

Each participating cyclist was awarded a medal and certificate by the DSCC.

Addressing the event, State Minister Habib said Dhaka is the city of their hearts and a bearer of the country’s history and heritage.

“Bangladesh’s future is centred around Dhaka. Therefore, we have to build a safe, clean and liveable Dhaka,” he said, adding that it should be a city where every citizen feels safe and enjoys a comfortable environment.

In his address, DSCC Administrator Salam said strengthening the emotional bond and sense of ownership between citizens and the capital, which has a history, heritage and culture spanning more than four centuries, is now a pressing need.

He said many citizens have not developed the desired sense of attachment and responsible civic consciousness towards Dhaka due to inadequate familiarity and engagement with the city’s history, heritage and cultural diversity.

He said the main objective of the initiative is to present Dhaka’s history, heritage and culture to citizens in a new way and inspire greater love, ownership and responsibility towards the city.

As part of the remaining programmes, a “Dhaka Heritage Run” will be held on August 15 from Motijheel Shapla Chattar to Buriganga Mancha at Swarighat.

A theatre festival featuring stage productions based on Dhaka will be held at the Zahir Raihan Cultural Centre auditorium in Sutrapur from August 16 to 22.

A traditional boat race will take place from Kholamora Ghat to Wais Ghat on August 21, while tourists will be able to enjoy a special heritage cruise on a century-old vessel from Sadarghat on the same day.

Old films made on Dhaka will be screened at Madhumita Cinema Hall on August 22.

“The Great Dhaka Sale” will be held at shopping centres across Dhaka from August 21 to 30. During the same period, citizens will be invited to submit letters expressing their emotions and love for Dhaka under the “Love Letter to Dhaka” initiative.

Stage plays on Dhaka will also be staged at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy from August 21 to 28.

Bangladesh Television will broadcast old dramas and other programmes featuring Dhaka from August 23 to 29.

A special aerial view of the “Hridoye Dhaka 416” festival will be showcased through helicopter flights from the helipad of Zainul Haque Sikder Women’s Medical College Hospital in North Dhanmondi on August 24.

A Dhaka procession featuring horse-drawn carriages, rickshaws, vintage cars and palanquins will be held from Lakshmibazar to Nagar Bhaban on August 28.

The festival’s will formally be inaugurated at Lalbagh Fort at 4:00pm on August 29 by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

A special cleanliness, mosquito-control and tree-plantation programme will also be launched on the occasion, as part of the “Clean City, Green City” initiative.

A kite festival, a special “Dhaka Adda” and an evening cultural programme featuring traditional qawwali will be held at Lalbagh Fort on August 30.

On September 1, an awards ceremony for a painting competition for children and children with special needs will be held at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, alongside an open art camp attended by renowned artists of the country.

The festival will conclude on September 5 with a traditional “Panchayeti Adda” of Old Dhaka residents at Alamganj Jetty.

The DSCC has called upon citizens to participate in celebrating the festival with a spirit of pride, responsibility and festivity amid their busy daily lives.