Alumni of Dhaka University's Fazlul Huq Hall reconnect

Thousands of former residents of Fazlul Huq Hall have braved the summer heat to celebrate their ties to the historic student hall at Dhaka University.

Dhaka University Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 19 May 2017, 02:04 PM
Updated : 19 May 2017, 05:33 PM

Fazlul Huq Hall, founded in 1940, has left marks on the series of movements that shaped the nation. The stories still fills its former students with pride.

They began arriving from 9am for a reunion organised by Fazlul Huq Alumni Association on Friday.

The group was diverse. Faces of old timers to fresh graduates mingled amid a rush to recall all those memories of the campus.

Among the alumni were the chief election commissioner, prime minister's principal secretary and the IGP.

Prof Kazi Abdul Fattah from the batch of 1949-50 chaired the reunion programme.

"I feel so wonderful today. I'm seeing everyone after such a long time. My past is vivid in my memories. This is a great opportunity to connect to everyone," he said.

A student of 1950-51 batch, Afzal Hossain has had movement restricted, and he has speaking difficulties as well, but these conditions could not stop him from meeting his juniors.

"Kazi Abdul Fattah had enrolled before I did, but I was his senior by age. I am the (most) senior among those present here today. I still recall many things at this age," he said.

"It's a very sultry day today. I had once thought of leaving the programme, but later decided to brave the heat to pass the time chatting with the juniors."

Former vice-chancellor of Jahangirnagar University Professor Anwar Hossain had one time worked as provost of the Fazlul Huq Hall. "It's a day of joy," he said.

"We passed our heady days here, witnessed historical events," he remembered.   

Professor Hossain said the protests during the 1952 Language Movement started from this hall. "The decision on taking out that procession was made at the dock of this historic Fazlul Huq Hall."

Former Petrobangla chairman Professor Hossain Mansur had also worked as the hall's provost. He said he was proud of the students attached to the hall who are now playing their part in Bangladesh's progress.

Prof Dr AAMS Arefin Siddique, now Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University, told the gathering of the alumni, "Many of you are responsible for running the country now. The juniors will be inspired to see you here."  

Prime Minister's Political Affairs Adviser HT Imam said memories of the days spent in the hall come back to his mind whenever he goes past the hall.

He recalled how he and his three roommates spent the happy times in and around. "I woke up in the morning every day hearing Hemanta Mukhopadhyay's records played at the food shops next to the Secretariat building." 

Prime Minister's Principal Secretary Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury said he had enjoyed great times in the hall. "I wrote the Shikkha-Shanti-Pragati song for Chhatra League in this hall."

Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda was a student of 1966-67 batch. "The movement for Bangladesh's independence started that year. It was the year of the Six-Point Movement."

He said processions were taken out from the hall during the movement. "Many of the students were harassed and had to suffer in jail. Armed EPR (East Pakistan Rifles) members guarded the gate to stop the processions."

Recalling the 1969 uprising, he said, "The Dhaka city was restive during the movement that year. Then came the 1970 elections, Mar 7 speech, independence on Mar 26. We were involved in everything. All these happened when I was a student."     

"Today I am mingling and interacting with the new students - it's a new kind of achievement. I am enjoying the day here with the old classmates and new students," he said.

Kabir Bin Anwar, a Director General at the Prime Minister's Office, delivered the welcome speech.

Alumni Inspector General of Police AKM Shahidul Hoque, Jessore University of Science and Technology Vice-Chancellor Anwar Hossain, former provost of the hall Abu Zafar Mohammad and current Provost Harunur Rashid were among those who joined the reunion.

Many of the alumni remembered their late fellows, nuclear scientist Dr MA Wazed Miah, former presidents Zillur Rahman and Justice Shahabuddin Ahmed, among others.