A special cleanliness and mosquito control campaign was held at Dhaka University on Saturday as part of a pre-announced program of the Bangladesh Jatiotabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), DU unit.

The campaign was implemented by Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) with the cooperation of the university administration and initiated by DU JCD unit.

The campaign was inaugurated at the TSC premises around 9am, with DSCC Administrator Abdus Salam attending as the chief guest and DU Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr ABM Obaidul Islam as the inaugural guest.

DU Pro-Vice-Chancellors, Proctor and leaders of the JCD were also present.

Addressing the program, Abdus Salam said Dhaka University had historically played a leading role in the country and called on its teachers and students to take the lead in bringing about positive changes in Bangladesh.

Referring to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s “Clean City, Green City” vision, he said 200 dustbins had been installed on the campus to help maintain cleanliness.

“More dustbins will be installed if necessary. But students must ensure that no one throws waste on the roads, in front of TSC or elsewhere on the campus,” he said.

He also stressed the need to regulate floating vendors around TSC, Shahbagh and the Central Shaheed Minar to maintain cleanliness in those areas.

Abdus Salam proposed that the authorities prepare a list of floating vendors and bring them under an identification system.

“The Shaheed Minar is a place of our heritage and pride. We do not want this place to remain unclean in any way,” he said.

DU VC Prof Dr ABM Obaidul Islam urged students to develop a sense of responsibility for keeping the campus clean.

“Cleanliness is part of faith. It cannot be ensured by making someone else do it; a sense of responsibility has to come from within,” he said while inaugurating the campaign.

He said the initiative should not be limited to a single day but should continue throughout the year.

The VC also urged students and organizers to ensure that no waste was left behind after programs on campus.

“There should not be even a piece of polythene, tissue or peanut shell left behind after any program at DU. We all have to take responsibility for this,” he said.

After the inaugural ceremony, the guests, JCD leaders and cleaning workers joined a rally and proceeded towards the Arts Building. They later inaugurated newly installed dustbins and launched cleaning activities at several areas of the campus.