DU Correspondent :
The reunion of the Dhaka University Alumni Association (DUAA) under the banner of ‘Hironmoyee Melbandhon-2016’ was held on Saturday with much enthusiasm and festive mood.
The function was arranged in the central playground of the University joined by several thousand alumni. Many alumni met their old friends after a long time. They chatted with others and took photographs of one another during the programme that began at 8:00 am with chorus of the national anthem.
DUAA President Kazi Raquibuddin Ahmed chaired the function, while Mesbah-ul-Bahar Chowdhury, DUAA’s oldest member, who completed MA in 1940, inaugurated it and DUAA member Afia Dil, Professor Emeritus of Alliant International University in California, delivered welcome speech.
Former Adviser to the Caretaker Government Barrister Mainul Hosein, Civil Aviation Minister Rashed Khan Menon, DU Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr AAMS Arefin Siddique, former VCs Prof Dr Emazuddin Ahmed, Prof Dr SM Faiz, President of FBCCI AK Azad, Convener of Bangladesh Human Rights Organization Dr Md Shahjahan, Information Secretary of Awami League Advocate Afjal Hossain and Inspector General of Police Shahidul Haque joined the function, among others.
A friendly debate titled ‘Shekal’ and ‘Ekal’ was also organised. Prof Ajoy Roy, Prof Dr Serajul Islam Chowdhury, Tariha Rahman, Sanjib Saha, Nabonita Chowdhury and Al Mamun participated in the debate. A discussion on memories was also held. The gala function ended with a musical show.
The alumni returned to the memories of those days they left long ago. There was ample time for informal conversations among them, old and new and reunite with fellow classmates.
Amidst the hugs and handshakes and laugh, tea, coffee and pastries, the alumni passed the day with joys and tears.
The 97 year-old Mesbah-ul-Bahar Chowdhury, who is also former Director of Public Instruction, said that the sound environment of the Dhaka University was attractive to him. ‘The relationship between teachers and students was like father and son during our time and the atmosphere of education on the campus was also good.
Prof Afia Dil said that DU had produced a lot of talented persons who were then contributing at home and abroad. ‘I am very emotional to be here. Thousands of memories flash before my eyes, I don’t know whether I shall be present at such type of programme in future’, said 92 years old Afia.
She urged the former students to uphold DU’s dignity through their creative and humanitarian activities.
Prof Emazuddin Ahmed said, ‘I have spent a good time on this campus and probably I have achieved most valuable things from the Dhaka University’.
Terming the upcoming 100th anniversary of the University as a great milestone, he said most of the old age alumni member may not attend the gala ceremony in 2020, but today, we can enjoy the Hironmoyee Melbandhon with our friends and well-wishers.
‘I want to spend rest of the time of my life loving this university and university’s friends’, he added.
In his speech, AAMS Arefin Siddique said that teachers and students of DU always fought for establishing the truth since its founding in 1921 and would continue to do so.
A.K Azad said, almost after 32 years we gathered together. We talk with each other and back to nostalgic.
