The students of Jahangirnagar University (JU) have established a large-scale platform to collect funds and relief supplies for the victims of severe floods affecting 11 districts in the country.
In addition to the students participating under the banner of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, this initiative is being carried out through various departments, residential halls, and voluntary organizations. The cooperation and spontaneous participation of people from all backgrounds, regardless of religion or caste, have significantly boosted the students' morale. As a result, the process of providing assistance to those affected by the floods has become more efficient.
Students from various departments of the university began collecting funds from individual departments and halls last Thursday to support the flood victims. Later, responding to the call of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, the "Gonotran" program was launched in the university's New Arts Building.
The students reported that their activities are being conducted with the spontaneous participation of everyone. In addition to the 'Gonotran' program organized by the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement in support of the flood victims, this effort is being coordinated with other students and volunteers. They are also thrilled by the support they have received from the general public.
On Tuesday, August 27th, the relief collection activities entered their sixth consecutive day. People gathered in front of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities building to donate aid for the flood victims. In addition to students and workers, day laborers and rickshaw pullers are also contributing. Donations are not limited to money but also include sacks of dry food, clothing, medicines, saline, tissues, sanitary napkins, diapers, candles, wall decorations, and water.
Overall, everyone is united around this massive initiative. Students were also seen collecting funds independently at various locations, including TSC, Battala, and Tarzan Point. Many students are raising funds based on their faculties, residential halls, and social and cultural organizations.
A donor named Md. Mithun said: "I am really happy to stand by the people of the country at this time. When I came here, I saw that everyone was spontaneously extending their cooperation to the best of their ability. I urge everyone to please come forward and support the students."
Abdur Rashid Jitu, Coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, told Dhaka Tribune: "So far, we have collected nearly Tk 60 lakh in relief funds. On Monday alone, the Anjuman Group donated Tk 20 lakh, and the Ultimate Fashion Group provided 1,250 food packets worth Tk 7-8 lakh. To date, we have sent six trucks of supplies to the flood-affected areas in two rounds. Our relief operations will continue until the flood subsides. After that, we will focus on the rehabilitation process."
Innovative initiatives to raise funds
Amidst the concerns about the flood, the students have devised extraordinary methods to raise funds for the victims. Some students positioned themselves on both sides of the Dhaka-Aricha Highway near the university gate, collecting money from local and long-distance buses. Others raised funds by singing on the sidewalks.
The students said: "We organized fundraising by singing on the sidewalks of the highway. We also sought help for the flood victims by boarding buses. Some passengers gave one or two thousand taka, while others contributed five hundred, two hundred, fifty, twenty, ten, and even five taka."
Meanwhile, the students also organized a two-day puppet show and art camp on Monday, August 26th, in the university cafeteria to collect funds and relief supplies. In addition to drawing pictures for children, students also offered to draw portraits of visitors. The participants in this workshop generously extended their helping hands to support the flood victims.
Anisul Islam, a fourth-year student at the university, said: "Our main strength is unity. The way ordinary people extended their support was beyond our expectations, truly unimaginable."
The collected funds have already been delivered to flood-affected districts, including Feni, Noakhali, and Comilla. Some donors purchased daily necessities and delivered them to the affected areas. Many others have expressed solidarity with the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement's fundraising program.
So far, departments including Physics, Pharmacy, Journalism and Media Studies, Mathematics, CSE, Geography and Environment, Zoology, Law and Justice, Philosophy, Urban and Regional Planning, Finance and Banking, Institute of Information Technology, Environmental Science, Bengali, Botany, Bangabandhu Institute of Comparative Literature and Culture, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Public Health and Informatics, Government and Politics, and others have collectively raised more than half a crore taka.
Zahidul Islam, Coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, JU unit, said: "Seeing the flood situation in the country, I haven't been able to eat or sleep properly for days. My entire day is spent in anxiety. Despite this, I am doing my best to help the flood victims. It feels like what I am doing is for myself, even though we are doing it for helpless people. India may have caused this artificial flood, but the people of Bangladesh are facing it unitedly."
Professor Sohail Ahmed of the university's Biochemistry and Molecular Biology department said: "The students are not afraid of challenges. They are working together to handle the disaster. The way students are collecting relief materials without eating or sleeping is truly remarkable. They have set a unique example of patriotism."
