Dhaka: Yesterday, today and tomorrow
The Daily Star (TDS): What is your first memory of Dhaka?
Syed Manzoorul Islam (SMI): It was really a happy memory. I came to Dhaka with my father in 1959 by train when I was in class IV. At that time the train station was in Phulbaria. When the train was passing Salimullah (SM) Hall my father showing the hall told me that he had stayed in the hall during his studentship and I felt thrilled. During that trip my father gave a whole taka to spend it as I like and I gorged on cotton candy. In 1963, I came for the second time and spent half of the day in zoo, which was in Ramna Park.TDS: What was the city like when you first came to Dhaka?
SMI: In 1968, I came to Dhaka when I admitted in Dhaka University. During that time the city was green. It was more horizontal than vertical. The tallest building was in Motijheel that was of 13 floors. The city was quiet. The areas like Dhanmondi and Siddheshwari were absolutely residential. Suhrawardi Udyan was a huge place. Dholai khal was a strong flowing canal. More than 60 percent building in old Dhaka were in their original shape and in use. TDS: What do you miss most in the city as compared to your early days in Dhaka?
SMI: I miss the green -- the freedom to walk in the city. Now footpath is taken over by vendors, beggars, construction materials, solicitors of donation to mosque; and it has become a total mess. TDS: How has the change in the city influenced your life?
SMI:It has influenced my life very negatively. The continuous traffic congestion added a feeling of frustration. If one cannot do the appointment in time it brings frustration and added a feeling of disgust. I am very pessimistic about the city. Wetlands are occupied; Dhaka has less green space, less breathing place, less recreation space. The intensified urbanisation affects the children. The huge playground for thousands of children in Bijoy Sarani has turned into an army museum. Why it should be there? It should be in cantonment area. The monument in Suhrawardy Udyan is in total contrast with naturalness. TDS: Which part of Dhaka in your eyes, we should be proud of?
SMI: Ramna area and Dhaka University campus are still struggling to remain green. There I can still walk on the sideway, footpath. Earlier I was proud of Kamrangirchar, the Buriganga and Old Dhaka but all of these have lost their original shape. TDS: Is today's Dhaka the city you want to live?
SMI: I'm forced to live here but if I have a choice I will not. It is not a city -- it is pretending to be a city. It is a city travesty of metropolis. TDS: What do you envisage for Dhaka in future?
SMI:The city must have a master plan and mass urban transit. It will recover all the occupied lands. Wetlands and rivers should be recovered, and there should be parks and playing fields adjacent to schools. It must have roads with regulated traffic. Rajuk should be strong, composed with judicial people with adequate power so that they can demolish the illegally constructed building without favouring the owners. Dhaka has now turned into an unhealthy city. If Dhaka persists in this way it will must die. Syed Manzoorul Islam, Professor, English Department, Dhaka University spoke to Wahida Mitu of Star City.
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