English Department alumni revisit campus to reminisce, reconnect

Memories sometimes unravel with time, they get frayed and holey, tangle up with each other. Not with former graduates from Dhaka University’s English Department who reengage every year to refresh the fun and fond memories. They make sure the gems of recollection and rediscovery are glued together.

A sweet nostalgia swept over hundreds of former students of the Department including those from the 50s like Finance Minister AMA Muhith to recent graduates as they flocked to the lush landscape of Teachers and Students Centre for their annual bash on Saturday.

Dhaka University’s English Department Alumni Society or EDAS organised the Bash 2017.

The current and former graduates started coming to the venue at 3pm, and within an hour, the TSC premises was full to the brim with the former students busy taking photos and selfies or in tittle-tattle.

It's time to take an ussie to keep the memory alive for next one year during the EDAS (English Department Alumni Society) bash at Dhaka University on Saturday.

The ex-students gravitated to old friends and filled up on winter cakes and popular Bengali snacks like ‘Puri-Singara’, ‘Fuchka-Pakora’, ‘Jilapi’, and ‘Jhalmuri’ as they used to do during the campus days.

Professors of the department Syed Manzoorul Islam, Sadrul Amin and Kazal Krishna Banerjee, Chairperson Rubina Khan, former EDAS president Wazir Sattar, theatre activist Ramendu Majumder, journalist Syed Badrul Ahsan, former DUCSU general secretary and currently a leader of the Jatiya Party Ziauddin Ahmed Bablu, former secretaries Hedayetullah Al Mamoon, Ataul Haque and Kamrul Alam Rabbani, former NBR chairman Muhammad Abdul Mazid, Comptroller and Auditor General Masud Ahmed, and RAB Director General Benazir Ahmed, among others, were present.

EDAS President Rasheda K Choudhury and General Secretary Toufique Imrose Khalidi welcomed all to the programme.

This year’s slogan for the bash was – “There were the days my friend. We thought they’d never end…”

Muhith arrived at the TSC just after 5pm. EDAS members greeted him, who had “turned 85” two days ago, with cheers and applause.

“I thought I was going to miss it this year, but here I am, have finally managed to make it. I am very happy to be here,” he said as spoke after cutting a cake on the stage.

DU English department alumni celebrate the birthday of senior-most alumnus Finance Minister AMA Muhith as he attends the annual reunion on Saturday on the campus - his birthday missed the EDAS Bash 2017 by two days.  

The joy of those gathered spilled from their souls into the air at the TSC arena as he spoke. Old friends rejoiced in reuniting, holding each other in warm embraces.

The smiles, laughter, and friendly banter throughout the reunion made it clear that the passage of time has only strengthened bonds between the ex-students.

Former students of Dhaka University English Department had the opportunity to meet at the campus again in their annual get-together on Saturday.

One alumnus at a corner can be heard saying, “Hey friend, how are you doing? Come here.”

“See how the state of politics has changed from that of ’71!” another close by added.

The group was found to be of former students at their 60s, but behaving like they just enrolled at the university.

Some students from the first batch after independence were chitchatting round a table. Some of them were taking group photos.‎

One of them, former press minister at the Bangladesh embassy in the US, Golam Arshad, said, “We are the first batch after independence. We had to stop our studies for a year. Now we are seeing many old faces here. It feels like walking down the memory lane. We’ve become very emotional.”‎

His peer in the university FAM Khorshed nodded in agreement.‎

Former students of Dhaka University English Department had the opportunity to meet at the campus again in their annual get-together on Saturday.

Ispahani Public School and College Principal Rafika Afro was a student of the department’s 1984 batch - so was Lutfur Rahman.

They said the annual get-together is their platform to reconnect with old friends and forge new memories.

Saidul Islam, a student of the 1992 batch, is working in Dhaka Bank now.

“I am a banker, and I can't meet many of my friends very often. I could be in education or administration cadres after studying literature.

"But this event brings together all our friends and seniors from different tracks. It’s a unique platform,” he said.

Jatiya Party Presidium Member Bablu, who brought along his spouse, said, “I feel very good. We share our memories, years of thoughts here in one day. This is our melange.”    

Comptroller General of Audit Masud Ahmed, former DUCSU general secretary and Jatiya Party leader Ziauddin Ahmed Bablu pose for photograph during EDAS annual bash at TSC on Saturday.

Ali Kabir, who passed masters from the department in 1976, had a glint in his eyes as he spoke. “I’ve come here after many years. It is reminding me of the good old days. This university, the courtyard, the department all look the same as before.” 

Prof Sadrul got admitted to the university in 1966. “I am still with the department, but it feels good to have everyone in one place.”

Theatre activist Ramendu said, “I come here every year. This year is no exception. I’ll find others and have adda.”

Theatre personality Ramendu Majumder (R) attends EDAS reunion along with fellow alumni on Saturday at the Dhaka Universtiy TSC.

RAB chief Benazir also said he thoroughly enjoys this get-together at TSC every year.  

RAB Director General Benazir Ahmed attends the DU EDAS annual bash at the TSC on Saturday.

Comptroller and Auditor General Masud and former commerce secretary Mamoon were catching up on each other’s lives.

Approached for comment, Mamoon said: “We look forward to this day. This hangout is an enjoyable occasion to all of us,” Mamoon said. ‎

Anisur Rahman, a college professor from the class of 1967, said he has braved ill health to celebrate his ties to the department and campus with old friends.

Former NBR chairman Mazid said he found some peers from his 1977 batch. “I’ve also spoken with the seniors and juniors. I couldn’t come last year though I never wanted to miss it. So, I’m early here this year to relieve the memories with friends,” he said.

Ataul from 1957 batch was a cabinet secretary. “This is a great opportunity. I don’t see my friends around here yet, but am speaking with the others,” the former top bureaucrat said.

Ekram Kabir, a former journalist who works as a vice president of mobile operator Robi now, is from the 1988 batch. “We get nostalgic on this day,” he said before suggesting that the event had better be organised in front of the department.

Liton Chakrabarty, an alumnus from the class of 2011, said the EDAS annual bash was getting bigger every year.

“This gathering is creating opportunities for the young. We get to get advice from our seniors, some of whom we consider as our role models,” he said.‎

Outgoing General Secretary Toufique Imrose Khalidi receives a young alumnus during the EDAS annual bash on Saturday at TSC.

The minutes and hours rushed past, but rediscovery and renewal showed no sign of slowing down.

“May these memories remain unfading,” said one from the table where the first batch after the Liberation War sat.

Muhith said he still recalls his admission to the department 66 years ago on the advice of Prof Abu Hena.

He also remembered with respect Prof Akhlaqur Rahman for inspiring him into the world of knowledge.

“Acquiring knowledge is such a marvelous thing that you can roam anywhere you like. In the year 1951, I got more marks in every subject, 47 more than what the second boy got. Getting so many marks felt like a problem at the time as I got a lot of invites,” Muhith said.

That was when he received Prof Akhlaqur’s advice, he said.

“It doesn’t matter what subject you get in the university. The important thing is what you learn. University is a gateway to knowledge. Let yourself float in knowledge here,” he told the young generations.

Finance Minister AMA Muhith speaking the EDAS annual bash on DU campus on Saturday.

EDAS outgoing General Secretary Toufique said, “I have had the opportunity to serve several presidents. Starting from the EDAS founder, the late Professor Ahsanul Haq. I’ve learnt from all of them and been enriched by the experience.

“I must thank all members – drawn from different segments of our society – of the committees I have been part of, and have thoroughly enjoyed the lively discussions and debates in our decision-making process.

“I hope the ‘bash’ becomes bigger, better and more fun in the years to come,” he added.

Outgoing General Secretary Toufique Imrose Khalidi speaking at the EDAS reunion at TSC in Dhaka University on Saturday.

Muhith handed a crest of honour to outgoing teacher of the department Prof Fakrul Alam.

A cultural function and a raffle draw continued until 8pm and the bright students were given awards.

Meritorious students are given awards during the DU EDAS annual bash on Saturday at the campus.

A new EDAS committee was formed by the end of the event.

The new committee of the Dhaka University English Department Alumni Society for 2018 is formed during the EDAS annual bash on Saturday.

Former adviser to the caretaker government Rasheda was re-elected president while Toufique handed over the charge to Mamoon.

“There is no goodbye in our vocabulary. We say, ‘See you again’,” Rasheda said, drawing the curtain on the bash.

EDAS President Rasheda K Choudhury speaking at the annual reunion at the Dhaka University campus on Saturday.