DHAKA, Aug 13, 2026 (BSS) – Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) has undertaken a month-long gala programme titled ‘Hridoye Dhaka 416 (Dhaka in the Heart)’ to celebrate the 416th anniversary of the capital city Dhaka and mark the August 1 as the historic ‘Dhaka Day’.

The programmes running from August 1 will continue till September 5.

DSCC Administrator and freedom fighter Md Abdus Salam outlined the details of the programme at a press conference at the Nagar Bhaban auditorium here today.

“People living in Dhaka came to the city for different reasons- some by birth, others for work or education. Although some live here permanently and others temporarily, everyone taking shelter in Dhaka is a citizen of the city,” he said.

However, Salam said, many people have been unable to develop a strong connection with the history, heritage and culture of the centuries-old capital city.

As a result, civic awareness and responsibility have not reached the desired level in areas such as waste management, mosquito control, traffic management and environmental conservation, he added.

The main objective of this festival is to highlight Dhaka’s history, heritage and culture to citizens and create a sense of affection and responsibility towards the capital city in their hearts, said the DSCC administrator.

According to the DSCC officials, as part of the month-long programme, a drawing competition for children and children with special needs was held at Bangladesh Shishu Academy from August 1 to 7. A festival marking the 70th anniversary of Dhaka cinema was also held from August 2 to 6 under the management of Channel i.

On the occasion, a cycle rally titled ‘the Dhaka Heritage Cycle Rally’ will be held early tomorrow from Dhaka Gate to Nagar Bhaban while the ‘Dhaka Heritage Run’ will take place from Shapla Chattar in Motijheel to Buriganga Mancha (Soarighat) at Sadarghat here on August 15.

A theatre festival featuring stage drama based on Dhaka will be held from August 16 to 22 at the Zahir Raihan Cultural Centre auditorium at Sutrapur in the city.

On August 21, a traditional boat race will take place from Kholamora Ghat to Waisghat. On the same day, tourists will have the opportunity to enjoy a special heritage cruise, featuring a century-old vessel, from Sadarghat.

On August 22, old films based on Dhaka will be screened at Madhumita Cinema Hall in the city.

From August 21 to 30, shopping malls across Dhaka will host ‘The Great Dhaka Sale’. During the same period, the ‘Love Letter to Dhaka’ programme will be observed, inviting citizens to write letters expressing their emotions and love for the city.

Stage dramas based on Dhaka will also be performed at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy from August 21 to 28. From August 23 to 29, Bangladesh Television will broadcast old dramas and other programmes based on Dhaka.

On August 24, the ‘Dhaka in the Heart from a Bird’s Eye View’ festival will be showcased by helicopter at the helipad of Zainul Haque Sikder Women’s Medical College and Hospital in North Dhanmondi.

A colourful Dhaka procession will be held from Lakshmibazar to Nagar Bhaban on August 28. Traditional elements of Dhaka, including horse-cart, rickshaws, vintage cars and palanquins, will be displayed during the procession.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is expected to formally inaugurate the ‘Hridoye Dhaka 416’ festival at Lalbagh Fort here at 4:00 pm on August 29.

At the same event, special cleanliness, mosquito-control and tree-plantation programmes will be launched to implement the ‘Clean City, Green City’ initiative.

A kite festival and a special ‘Dhaka Adda’ will be organised at Lalbagh Fort on August 30. An entertaining cultural programme, including traditional Kawwali, will be held in the evening on the day.

On September 1, prizes will be distributed among the winners of the drawing competition for children and children with special needs at Shilpakala Academy. An open art camp featuring renowned artists from across the country will also be held.

On September 5, a traditional ‘Panchayeti Adda’ of Old Dhaka will be organised at Alamganj Jetty.

At the press conference, the DSCC administrator said Dhaka began its journey as the capital of Subah Bangla in 1610. Later, he said, modern urban administration began with the establishment of the Dhaka Municipality on August 1, 1864.

The city administration has evolved over time and has now become the Dhaka South City Corporation, Salam said, adding, therefore, decision has been taken to observe August 1 as ‘Dhaka Day’.

He said Dhaka has witnessed every glorious chapter of Bangladesh’s history, from the Language Movement and the Liberation War to the mass uprising of the 1990s and the 2024 student-people uprising.

The goal of the Dhaka South City Corporation is to build a clean, green and modern capital city by preserving this heritage, Salam said. 

The DSCC administrator has called upon citizens from all sections of society, cultural organisations, the media, and domestic and foreign tourists to actively participate in the ‘Hridoyw Dhaka 416’ programme to build a clean, green, smart and citizen-friendly Dhaka.