Popular small-screen actress Mehazabien Chowdhury will make her silver screen debut on December 20 with the Shankha Dasgupta film 'Priyo Maloti'. While the actress and the entire team are now busy promoting the movie, they created a sudden controversy by placing a poster over graffiti at the Student-Teacher Center (TSC) of Dhaka University (DU) of Sohagi Jahan Tonu on Wednesday. One of the most talked-about rape incidents in the country, Sohagi Jahan Tonu, the victim, was a student of Cumilla Victoria College and a member of Victoria College Theatre who was gang-raped and found dead at Cumilla Moynamati Cantonment in March 2016. Farooki's film ‘840’ set to hit theatres on Dec 13 As the poster placement stirred huge criticism on social media from the netizens, Mehazabien finally went to TSC on Wednesday evening and tore up the poster which she previously placed over Sohagi Jahan Tonu's graffiti. Earlier on the day, the actress went to TSC to promote the movie and put up the posters of 'Priyo Maloti' on various walls with her own hands. The controversy sparked after a video went viral on social media in which Mehazabien was seen putting up posters over the graffiti of  Tonu and also some of the other July movement graffiti on the walls. The actress came under fire over the matter and some of the netizens raised the question of how a star like her could promote her movie by putting the posters on the graffiti of Tonu or July movement. Rifat Rashid, one of the coordinators of the anti-discrimination student movement They demanded Mehazabien apologise to the netizens in a Facebook status. "Mehazabien doesn't know my martyred sister Tonu? How dare you put your poster over the graffiti? We will not tear this poster in TSC, Mehazabien Chowdhury. You will come and tear this poster yourself,” Rifat wrote in the Facebook post. Mehazabien set to debut on silver screen with ‘Priyo Maloti’ Shortly after that, Mehazabien appeared at TSC and removed the poster of her debut film 'Priyo Maloti' with her own hands. She also apologised in a post from her verified Facebook ID on Wednesday night. In that post, Mehazabien wrote, “Our team went to TSC today (December 18) for the promotion of the film 'Priyo Maloti'. Many joined us in promoting the film, and due to the heavy rush, the campaign had to end quickly. A poster was placed over the graffiti of the late Sohagi Jahan Tonu by mistake and unintentional misplacement. We all know Tonu's tragedy and the fight for justice for her murder is still going on.'' She added, “What happened regarding the postering was a completely unintentional mistake. We immediately removed the posters and observed a minute's silence. We hope you will forgive our unintentional mismanagement.: However, many netizens are calling out the incident as a negative promotional and marketing strategy, and labelling the incident as a fabricated and intentional one. ‘Priyo Maloti’ stars Mehazabien Chowdhury in the title role, Maloti Rani Das, as a lower-middle-class woman depicting social struggles. The film marks her first-ever appearance on the big screen after a 15-year career primarily on television and other digital platforms. Set to hit cinemas on December 20, ‘Priyo Maloti’ received a ‘U’ rating (appropriate for audiences of all ages) from the Certification Board, and it has already earned international recognition from different festivals across the world. The film, produced by Frame Per Second in collaboration with the streaming platform Chorki, also marks its writer-director Shankha Dasgupta’s debut in feature film direction.

Raidul Khan Kowshik, a third-year student of the University of Dhaka, has been taken into police custody for molesting a girl at University’s TSC. Police however are yet to find his involvement  in the incident.  Asked about the incident, officer-in-charge of Shahabag Police Station told UNB that Raidul was brought to custody under allegations. "We primarily did not find his involvement in the incident," he added. A female student of Dhaka University (DU) filed a case against five to six unidentified students for molesting her in the Teacher-Student Center (TSC). Read: Legal notice served on Dhaka University for barring married students from halls "A female student filed a complaint to the proctor office of the university and based on the complaint, the proctor office handed over a student named Raidul Khan Kaushik to the police station for interrogation," said DU proctor AKM Golam Rabbani. According to the complaint, the victim student was talking to youth at TSC around 7pm on Monday when five to five unidentified youths talked to them and at one stage assaulted both of them. Later, a case was filed against 4/5 unidentified people at Shahbagh Police Station. Based on the complaint, after seeing the CCTV footage of TSC, the proctor's office initially got the involvement of a second-year student of the university named Abdullah Al Maruf. Later, when he went to catch the student at Madhur canteen, Maruf led the proctor to another student named Raidul Khan Kaushik. After finding Kaushik, the proctor's office handed him over to Shahbagh police station for preliminary interrogation.

Just across the TSC at the western entrance to Suhrawardy Udyan an open-air makeshift ‘library’ has recently sprung up raising some eyebrows. Tanvir Hasan Saikat, a former member of Dhaka University Central Student Union(DUCSU) and Deputy Social Service Secretary of Bangladesh Chhatra League , has got no permission from the university authorities to set up a wooden shelf with about 80 books. Just a few days ago the DU authorities evicted from the same site a number of tea stalls on grounds of keeping the place clean and get rid of unwanted gathering. Saikat, however, defended his move saying he has done it as part of his social service, which is a part of his organisation, BCL. "Doing social service is my organizational responsibility,” he told UNB. “think it will help us  develop our reading habit and thinking power." "This is not only a library. I will arrange debates and poem recitation programmes here. This is the little starting of my big dream", he added. He did not mind in setting up the book corner without taking any permission from the university authorities. READ:  Route to Central Shahid Minar on 21st February DU Vice-Chancellor Prof Akhtaruzzaman, however, welcomed Saikat’s initiative launched on February 13. DU proctor Prof. AKM Golam Rabbani has slightly different view, Asked to comment on it he told UNB "Establishing libraries is not a bad idea but this place does not demand any library because we have Public library, central library and science library in the neighbourhood.” “On the other hand this place is not suitable for reading too", Prof. Rabbani said adding that only a few days ago the authorities cleared the gate of Suhrawardy Udyan  by removing the stalls to make the surrounding peaceful. “The University does not allow such establishment on the campus area and the library of Saikat, set up recently at the gate of Suhrawardy Udyan,  is not permitted by DU authority", he added. "Tanbir Hasan Saikat has taken a great initiative. His move may make the place really productive. I personally appreciate his work,” said the VC. READ: DU to resume physical classes from Feb 22 He further said “It’s a library though. It is just a practice of a new culture but if we find anything wrong or any disorder regarding this issue, we will take proper steps", he said. Explaining his move Saikat said he cleaned the place which was being used by floating shops. “I’ve set up chairs and tables where people can sit and read books for free,” he said.  Asked what kind of response and cooperation he expects from the initiative, he said, "I started the initiative with my own funds. For all intents and purposes, I don't need any money."   The makeshift establishment, called Jhapi, contains more than 80 books in the book shelf placed in three categories: a. Bangladesh, Bangabandhu and Independence. b. Bangla Literature  and c. Foreign literature. "If anyone wants to donate books, he will be welcomed", Tanbir said. Salman Siddiki, president of Student Front DU unit, said that at first sight it may look like a good job.  “But if you observe this more closely, you will see that it is a plan of destroying an old culture. There were tea stalls, where students used to have various types of political talks and cultural discussions together. Students from different organisations used to gather there,” he told UNB. "As Tanbir Hasan is an activist of Chhatra league, students of other organizations may not feel encouraged to go there,” he said adding that “This is a plan of grabbing the place and they did it with the cooperation of University administration.”

At least two activists of People Activists Coalition (PAC) were injured as police swung batons on their protest rally in front of National Museum on Thursday. PAC organized the rally in front of the National Museum around 4 pm protesting the attack of Chhatra League on Qwwali Mahfil at TSC on Wednesday. Police used batons to try to disperse the rally soon after the organisers opened the banner of the programme, said Ratul Mohammad, one of the organizing bodies of People Activist Coalition (PAC). Also read: Attack on Qawwali programme at TSC; 8 injured

At least eight students and a journalist were injured in an attack on a Sufi cultural programme allegedly by Chhatra League at Dhaka university's TSC on Wednesday. Silsila, organizing group of Dhaka University, arranged the first ever Qawwali programme at TSC in the evening. Soon after the programme began at 6 pm, some 70-80 activists of Bangladesh Chhatra league allegedly swooped on the stage smashing chairs and music instruments. At least 11 students including two females and a journalist were injured in the attack. Molla Mohammad Faruk, an organiser of the programme, said now it is clear that the followers of Saddam Hussein, general secretary of Dhaka University Chhatra League unit, carried out the attack. READ: 35 injured as police, protestors clash at TSC "The followers of Saddam Hussein in Sargent Johrul Houqe hall, Kabi Jasimuddin hall and Dhaka College Chhatra League joined the attack", he added. Saddam denied his supporters were involved. "I do not know about this. Conspirators are using the name of BCL and these are the deeds of conspirators too", Saddam said denouncing the allegation. "The programme collapsed because of their intetnal conflict. Chhatra League is not involved in this attack", he added. "Such heinous attack on a cultural function on capmus is not expected. Proper measures will be taken against attackers",DU Proctor Prof. AKM Golam Rabbani said in this regard after he visited the site. READ: TSC Renovation: How will the new look be? Immediaty after the incident, left-leaning organisations of Dhaka University staged rallies to protest the attack. Later, the programme organisers performed Qawwali songs in front of proctor's office in protest of the attack.

An album of songs and poems written by noted singer, composer and political activist Sanjeeb Chowdhury titled “Ami Tomake Boley Debo” has been unveiled to mark his birthday which is celebrated as Sanjeeb Utsav. Sanjeeb Utshab Utjapon Porishad arranged a cultural show to mark the day on Saturday at TSC’s Sanjeev Square. The album named after late singer’s one of the popular numbers was created by Joy Shahriar and published by his publishing house, Aajob. Also read: 8th Sanjeeb Utshab held at DU Joy Shahriar, also one of the organisers of this event said, it’s been 14 years ‘Sanjeeb daa’ is not with us. We organise this festival in his memory. Our aim is to pass on his philosophy and songs to those who have not met him.” Shubhayatra, Joy Shahriar, Subconscious, Bay of Bengal, were among the performers at this event. Also read: DU celebrates Boshonto Utshab 1425 Sanjeeb Chowdhury, a student of the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism at Dhaka University, died in 2007 at the age of 42 years. Some of his popular songs are - Ami Tomake Boley Debo, Rangila, Samudra Sontan, Jochna Bihar, Bioscope, Chader Jonno Gaan.

The Teacher-Student Centre, popularly known as TSC on the Dhaka University (DU) campus, was established in 1961. It is set to be renovated keeping its old structure as part of the university’s birth centenary celebrations in 2021. The University authority primarily approved the new design provided by The Public Works Department (PWD) of the government but the construction work will start after Prime Minister’s approval. Before that, PWD proposed to rebuild TSC entirely, which sparked debate and anger among students, teachers and alumni. Later, the authorities instructed PWD to form a new design keeping its old structure. After several meetings, both stakeholders signed off on the new design. Also read: TSC reconstruction: DU authorities seek opinion from teachers, students Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on September 2 last year said a plan to modernize Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH), TSC and Shahbagh’s Public Library. "Dhaka University is our university and we want to build TSC in a modern way," said the PM on that day. She also said that she had already directed the authorities concerned to prepare its design in a proper manner. What will the new TSC complex look like? According to the new draft design, TSC’s present structure will not be demolished. A 10-storied new building will be constructed where the swimming pool is now located.    “The new facility will be built and incorporated with the existing structure. It will include rehearsal rooms for cultural activities, rooms with modern facilities for TSC-based socio-cultural groups, indoor games room, separate cafeteria, two auditorium, gymnasium, teachers’ lounge, two basements for vehicle parking, and more,” said Acting Director Syed Ali Akbar. Read 5-storey building tilts in Chattogram: Residents evacuated He said the entrance of the new building would be from the west of TSC. The construction work will be started from the back where now the swimming pool is situated. “Our engineering section is not involved with the designing or construction work, moreover the PWD will do as per the prime minister’s instruction,” he continued.  Mir Manzurur Rahman, Chief Architect, Department of Architecture, Ministry of Housing and Public Works, said, “We did a draft design following DU’s requisition. We cover almost all of the requisition including two auditoriums, a lecture theater, a gymnasium and some office space and others. We insert these requisitions into 10 storied building and Dhaka University is happy with our design.” “Old existing structures will not be rebuilt. We will just renovate existing structures as per necessity,” he added. The TSC director provided a requisition list to the university's engineering department, which was subsequently submitted to PWD on October 18 last year by the DU authorities. The acting chief engineer of DU Abul Kalam Sikder said, “PWD will provide the new design to the prime minister and if she approves the design, they will start construction work." DU pro vice-chancellor (administration) Prof Muhammad Samad said, “This design is acceptable. It will be handed over to prime minister though PWD and final work will start if the PM approves the design.” Prof Samad hoped that construction work would begin soon under the direct concern of the prime minister. Also read: Bangabandhu’s historic photo kept at TSC Mohiuddin Mahi, a third-year student of Mass Communication and Journalism said, TSC is the social and cultural hub of our campus which was built when the varsity had a small number of students. “However, it has never been reconstructed again although the number of students and teachers has been increasing every year. So, this is a great initiative indeed but the authorities have to be sincere enough so that none of its tradition or aesthetic beauties get destroyed,” he added.  Echoing Mahi, Salman Siddique, president of Socialist students’ front said, "Yes, there is a need to improve some aspects of TSC. We do not oppose modernization of TSC either. But authority have to be more sincere so that none of tradition and beauties get destroyed.” But there are lots of problems including accommodation crisis authority should pay heed first, he said. Read Construction work on Dhaka airport’s new terminal likely to begin in Dec  TSC at a glimpse The TSC is an invaluable part of Bangladesh’s cultural heritage and among the modern architectural landmarks of the country.  The Greek legendary architect, planner and theoretician Constantinos Apostolos Doxiadis (1913-1975) designed TSC during the early 1960s and later the TSC building was built as part of the so-called Decade of Development (between 1958 and 1968) of the then Pakistani regime. The structure exemplifies a modernist architectural sensitivity toward spatial needs for tropical climatic conditions. It blends local parameters of space-making -- particularly the indoor-outdoor continuum and generation of space around courtyards -- with international-style visual expression of building forms. TSC's dome-shaped structure is considered an iconic landmark in Dhaka city. It has been home to countless students who show up between or after classes for a cup of tea with friends, and holds immense nostalgic value for them on top of being a historically significant site. There were several attempts to renovate the structure earlier, but they were stopped subsequently. One of them was to demolish the swimming pool next to the TSC and build a nine-storey building. The initiative of renovation by keeping the original structure intact, however, did not see the light of day. Read PM orders proper renovation of shabby rail bridges

Dhaka University (DU) authorities have sought opinion from the teachers and students of the university on TSC’s 'overall development and expansion initiatives' amid criticism from different corners over the matter.

Alamgir Hossain, an executive council member of Dhaka University Mass Communication and Journalism Alumni Association (DUMCJAA), died at a hospital in the city on Monday .

Mehedi Hasan of Daily Kalerkantho and Sazzadul Kabir of Banglanews24.com were elected as the new President and General Secretary of Dhaka University Journalists' Association (DUJA) for the next one year.