Feature

Rajshahi University:
Potential Tourist Destination

Matiur Rahman Shuvo

RAJSHAHI University (RU), the second largest university in the country, and the largest educational institution in the northern region of Bangladesh, has the potential to become a tourist and entertainment spot through proper planning using modern technology. More than 2.5 lakh people visit the campus every year to enjoy the natural beauty of RU. The university authority has recently undertaken various initiatives for beautification of the campus.

Situated on the bank of the great river Padma and known as the 'Motihar Green landscape,' RU is the site of the historical 'Shabash Bangladesh Statue', Central Shaheed Minar, Golden Jubilee, Paris Road (with evergreen gigantic trees on both sides), Martyrs' Archive, statue of 1971 mass grave, Bijoy Shagor, RU Stadium - only full-fledged stadium in a public university of the country, RU Central Library - second largest Library in the country, Kazi Nazrul Islam auditorium, Senate Bhaban, Deans Complex, the botanical garden, a pond excavated following the Bangladeshi map - the list can go on and on.

Thousands of people regularly visit the Shabash Bangladesh statue symbolizing the bravery of the valiant freedom fighters in 1971. Passengers traveling by buses get an opportunity to convey homage to the martyrs who laid down their lives in the War of Liberation. Shaheed Minar is another significant monument of RU. The adjacent open stage and the terracotta wall are also attractions for tourists. The only Martyrs' Archieve of this country is also situated beside the Shaheed Minar. There are three galleries - Dr. Zoha Gallery, Language Movement Martyrs' Gallery and the Independent War Gallery. The Golden Jubilee Tower was installed in 2003 to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of RU. Prominent sculptor Mrinal Haque designed the tower.

With more than 10,000 rare and valuable trees on its 2,220 bighas of land and hundreds of species of birds, the RU campus is indeed a sight to behold. Of these trees, the most spectacular is the Gagan Shirish, which beautifies the 'Paris Road' of the campus. Professor Dr. Shah Alam, in-charge of Botanical Garden of RU, states that due to the presence of huge trees on the campus, the average day temperature always remains 2-3 degree Celsius less than the temperature outside the campus.

The authority of Rajshahi University (RU) has recently authorised the digging of a large pond named "Bijoy Shagor" on the eastern side of the campus, which will be completed within the next six months. All of these magnificent manifestations indicate the immense potential that the RU campus has in becoming a thriving tourist destination.