DU Correspondent

Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Niaz Ahmed Khan said that social change is possible only if everyone is united. There have been many conspiracies surrounding the country.

Every time, the people of this country have turned around using the power of youth. Responding to the call of the country, the universal power of youth has gifted the nation a new Bangladesh through the July mass uprising. We have no chance to turn back. Now is the time for us to unite in the interest of the country.

He said these things in his speech as the president at the inauguration of the 3-day ‘Youth Festival’ on Tuesday at the central playground of Dhaka University. Dhaka University and the Ministry of Youth and Sports have jointly organized this festival with the aim of building a new Bangladesh with the theme ‘Come, let’s change the country, let’s change the world’.

Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, Advisor to the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives, inaugurated the festival as the chief guest.

Professor Dr. Mohammad Jasim Uddin, convener of the festival celebration committee, delivered the welcome speech at the event. Secretary of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Md. Rezaul Maksud Zahedi and Director General of the Directorate of Youth Development, Dr. Gazi Md. Saifuzzaman spoke as special guests at the event. Deans of various faculties, principals of various halls, teachers, students and senior officials of various ministries were present at the event.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Niaz Ahmed Khan said, youth is not just a matter of age. It is a mental state. People of all ages should embody youth. Stating that youth has a universal form, he said, the power of youth creates harmony among all. Along with the young student community, young rickshaw pullers, young farmers, young vegetable sellers and other youth from all walks of life unitedly joined the July Movement. People from all walks of life stood by them. As a result, a successful mass uprising was possible. We can see this youth festival as an occasion to honor the July Mass Uprising.

The Vice Chancellor also said that the long-standing partisan, violent and divisive politics has brought important institutions of this country face to face. This has caused a lot of damage to the country. He expressed hope that such festivals will play a helpful role in eliminating social divisions and creating unity among people.

Adviser Asif Mahmud Sajeeb Bhuiyan said that the July Uprising has liberated the people of this country from long-standing fascist exploitation. To keep the strength of the young people whose sacrifices have enabled us to achieve this liberation, a nationwide youth festival is being organized. People from all walks of life, including the youth, are spontaneously participating in this festival organized in various educational institutions including every district and upazila. He said that the youth of this country have created a context for showing new dreams to the people through the July Uprising. He expressed hope that the youth will play a leading role in building a prosperous Bangladesh and rebuilding the country.

It is to be noted that the Youth Festival announced by the Ministry of Youth and Sports is being celebrated nationwide from December 30, 2024. As part of this, this 3-day festival is being organized at Dhaka University. This festival is being celebrated with the aim of uniting the nation by capturing the energy, passion and entrepreneurial spirit of youth, developing a mentality of mutual cooperation and highlighting the beauty of the diversity and culture of Bangladesh. A fair has been organized on the occasion of the festival with stalls of young entrepreneurs. In addition, this 3-day festival has been arranged with painting competitions, clean campaigns, debate competitions, sports competitions, case competitions, cultural programs and a mega concert with the participation of popular bands.