Dhakeshwari Temple main gate and boundary wall construction inaugurated at Tk 2.5 crore
The foundation plaque for the construction of the main gate and boundary wall of the Dhakeshwari National Temple has been unveiled, at a cost of about Tk 2.5 crore. Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Administrator Bir Muktijoddha Md Abdus Salam inaugurated the work on Tuesday (20 October).
At the inauguration ceremony, the DSCC administrator spoke about the temple's development, communal harmony and city cleanliness. He said the city corporation is working to beautify the Dhakeshwari Temple inside and out, alongside enhancing the beauty of old Dhaka.
Abdus Salam said: “The Dhakeshwari Temple is Dhaka's principal temple, and its history and heritage are very old. Ambassadors of various countries and other important persons visit this temple. So, alongside making the temple's environment and infrastructure beautiful, we must also project Bangladesh's image of communal harmony through it.”
“Religion is personal, the state belongs to everyone,” he said. Hindus, Muslims, Christians and Buddhists all live in this country with equal rights. People must be seen as citizens of this country, not divided into minorities and majorities — a Muslim's rights and a Hindu's rights are the same, he said.
Announcing support for the temple's development, the DSCC administrator said: “Alongside the construction of the main gate and boundary wall, an additional Tk 15 lakh has been given for the temple's overall development. The tender process for this work has also been advanced. Construction will begin as quickly as possible.”
Stressing the need to keep Dhaka clean, Abdus Salam said: “The city stays clean in the morning, but as people's movement increases, waste starts piling up.”
To change this situation, he urged people not to throw tissue and other waste on the roads, not to dump rubbish in drains, to avoid polythene, and to keep the surroundings of their homes clean.
He added: “To protect the environment and prevent dengue, water must not be allowed to stand anywhere for more than three days. By planting trees and maintaining cleanliness, everyone must work together to make Dhaka liveable.”
Noting that the city corporation has worked on road repairs, lighting arrangements and drainage cleaning for various temples on the occasion of Durga Puja, he said: “For the first time, a total of Tk 19.8 lakh in grants has been given to 168 puja mandaps under the DSCC.”
The DSCC administrator also said that about 680 families of the Telugu and Kanpuri communities among the city corporation's cleaners have this year received a Durga Puja bonus on behalf of the prime minister, so that they too can share in the joy of the festival.
Abdus Salam said: “Those in society who harm humanity belong to no religion; they are enemies of humankind. Everyone must stand united against injustice and evil forces. The country cannot be taken forward by leaving anyone behind.”
At the end of his speech, he sought prayers for former prime minister the late Begum Khaleda Zia, martyred president Ziaur Rahman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. Calling for a peaceful celebration of Durga Puja, he said: “The DSCC stands beside people of all religions.”
After the inauguration, the DSCC administrator visited the Dhakeshwari Temple and exchanged puja greetings. Leaders of the Dhaka Metropolitan Puja Udjapon Committee were present on the occasion.
