In another few weeks, the nation will be observing Shaheed Dibosh with renewed pledge to uphold our language, democracy, and independence. The entirety of the premises, including the Minar, will be painted spotless white. The red plastic sun will rise behind the Minars.
The Minar rostrum will be painted with Bangali motifs. The neighbouring walls will be decorated with frescoes and graffitis, highlighting the significance of the day. The floodlights will be restored and made operational for the next two to three days. The cleaners will put in their best, under close supervision, to make sure there is no rubbish in the near vicinity.
Gone will be the banners and festoons. Gone will be the vendors and hawkers. Gone will be the mad crowd.
The president and the prime minister will pay their tributes to the Language Movement martyrs on behalf of the nation, followed by civil/military bureaucrats, diplomats, party organizations, students, and people from all walks of life. Heaps of bouquets and garlands will flood the premises for a week.
After a week, we will go back to square zero.
The floodlights will be put off. The red plastic sun will set, to rise again after a year. The rostrum will be crowded with people from all walks of life engaged in idle gossip. There will be students, drug addicts, mastans munching on peanuts, jhaal muri, fuchka, and seasonal fruits, and sipping tea/coffee to their gastronomic delight.
The vendors and hawkers will position themselves again in the rostrum, and have a busy time attending to clients. The premises will be littered with rubbish, polythene bags, papers, plastic bottles, cigarette boxes and butts, empty coconut shells, empty biryani boxes, dried out flowers, banana peels, melon shells, etc.
The million dollar question is: Why can't we manage and maintain Shaheed Minar throughout the year? Why do we do it for a day, and then forget about it?
The Shaheed Minar is time tested. It has been the symbol against all types of socio-economic oppression. It has been the voice in our quest for democracy. It has been the platform in our fight for our rights, and against all types of social injustice. It stands as a symbol for our hard earned, glorious independence. Even today, Shaheed Minar continues to do the same.
The Shaheed Minar is our first monument, and we all take pride in that. It has been there much before the Savar Memorial, Shadhinata Stambah, Shikha Anirban, or any other monument. If we can maintain and show proper respect and honour those monuments, then why not to Shaheed Minar?
It is not difficult. The answer is simple: No organization should be allowed to hold socio-cultural or political activities on the rostrum. They may, however, be allowed on the ground adjacent to the Minar.
There should be one centralized body entrusted for the maintenance of law and order and beautification of the Minar throughout the year.
The central body will co-ordinate with different government agencies under its wings to oversee. In my opinion, Dhaka University, city mayor (South) or even BGB have the necessary resources, and may be entrusted with the responsibilities.
It is possible if there is a will to do so. All that is needed are four malis for maintenance and beautification of the adjacent lawn, and a dozen security personnel for the maintenance of law and order.
We are not interested in seeing the same drama again and again. Let's do it.
Dr Shamim Ahmed is a Senior Public Health & Nutrition Specialist.
