DHAKA, Aug 14, 2026 (BSS) - The Dhaka Heritage Cycle Rally was held today with the aim of strengthening citizens’ involvement with the capital’s history, heritage and cultural diversity and fostering a sense of love and affection for the city.  

The rally was organised by Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) this morning as part of the month-long ‘Hridoye Dhaka 416’ festival, organised by the DSCC to mark the 416th anniversary of Dhaka and August 1 as ‘Dhaka Day’.

The rally began at 7am from the historic Dhaka Gate. 

State Minister for Road Transport and Highways Division and the Ministry of Railways Habibur Rashid Habib, MP, inaugurated the rally as the chief guest. 

Dhaka-7 constituency lawmaker Hamidur Rahman was present as the special guest. 

DSCC Administrator and freedom fighter Md. Abdus Salam chaired the programme.
 
Around 300 citizens participated in the rally. Starting from Dhaka Gate, the rally passed through TSC, Shahbagh, Bata Signal, Science Lab, Nilkhet, Azimpur, Dhakeshwari Temple, Bakshibazar, Central Shaheed Minar, the Secretariat and Bangabazar before ending at Nagar Bhaban.
 
The participating cyclists were awarded medals and certificates by the DSCC.
 
Addressing the event, the chief guest said, “Dhaka is the city of our hearts and the bearer and carrier of our heritage. The future Bangladesh revolves around Dhaka. Therefore, we have to build a safe, clean and liveable Dhaka.”
 
He said Dhaka should be made liveable so that every citizen can move around safely and comfortably. In particular, opportunities for young people to cycle freely and a healthy environment must be ensured.

In his speech, DSCC Administrator Md. Abdus Salam said it is now imperative to further strengthen the emotional and affectionate bond between citizens and Dhaka, which is rich in more than four centuries of history, heritage and culture. 

Due to inadequate familiarity with the city’s history, heritage and cultural diversity, many people have not developed the desired sense of affection for Dhaka and responsible citizenship, he added.

He said this has an impact on various aspects of civic life, including waste management, mosquito control, traffic discipline and environmental conservation. 

The main objective of the ‘Hridoye Dhaka 416’ initiative is to present Dhaka’s history, heritage and culture to citizens in a new way and awaken a sense of love, affection and responsibility towards the city, he said.
 
The DSCC sources said one of the key objectives of the festival is to ensure active citizen participation in building a clean, green, aware and liveable ‘Clean City, Green City’, turning the realisation “My City, My Responsibility” a part of civic life.
 
As part of the festival, the ‘Dhaka Heritage Run’ will be held tomorrow, August 15, from Motijheel Shapla Chattar to Buriganga Mancha. 

On August 21, a traditional boat race from Kholamora Ghat to Wise Ghat and a century-old heritage cruise at Sadarghat will be organised. 
 
On August 22, old films made on Dhaka will be screened at Madhumita Cinema Hall.
 
Besides, ‘The Great Dhaka Sale’ and ‘Love Letter to Dhaka’ programmes will be held from August 21 to 30. 
 
A Dhaka procession featuring horse-drawn carriages, rickshaws, vintage cars and palanquins will be held on August 28, while a kite festival, ‘Dhaka Adda’ and cultural programmes including Qawwali will be organised at Lalbagh Fort on August 30.
 
The formal inauguration of the ‘Hridoye Dhaka 416’ festival is scheduled to be held at Lalbagh Fort on August 29. Special cleanliness, mosquito-control and tree-planting programmes will also be launched to implement the ‘Clean City, Green City’ initiative.

The month-long festival will conclude on September 5 with a traditional Panchayeti Adda of Old Dhaka at Alamganj Jetty.
 
The DSCC has called upon citizens to actively participate in the ‘Hridoye Dhaka 416’ celebration in a festive atmosphere, with a sense of pride and responsibility.