Youth and Sports Minister Md Aminul Haque inaugurated Dhaka Heritage Run. Photo : BSS

DHAKA, Aug 15, 2026, (BSS)- Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) today organised the ‘Dhaka Heritage Run’, calling on citizens to perform their respective responsibilities to build a clean and green Dhaka while showcasing the capital’s history, heritage and cultural landmarks to the new generation.

The event was organised as part of the month-long ‘Hridoye Dhaka 416’ festival of the DSCC, marking the 416th anniversary of Dhaka and ‘Dhaka Day’ on August 1. More than 1,000 citizens took part in the run.

Youth and Sports Minister Md Aminul Haque inaugurated the Heritage Run from Motijheel Shapla Chattar. Dhaka-7 constituency lawmaker Hamidur Rahman attended the event as a special guest. DSCC Administrator and freedom fighter Md Abdus Salam presided over the programme.

The Heritage Run started from Motijheel Shapla Chattar and passed through Kakrail intersection, Ramna, Shahbagh intersection, Katabon intersection, Dhaka University, Palashi intersection, Lalbagh Fort and Shahidnagar intersection before ending at Swarighat launch terminal.

Each participant was given a medal and certificate by the DSCC.

Speaking at the inaugural programme, Youth and Sports Minister Aminul Haque said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has given the highest priority to sports alongside placing importance on preserving the country’s history and heritage in building a new Bangladesh.

He said the DSCC administrator had taken a highly timely initiative by upholding that heritage. He expressed hope that the event would make Dhaka’s history and heritage more familiar to the new generation.

DSCC Administrator and freedom fighter Abdus Salam said, “My main objective was to make people realise that Dhaka is my city, and I should be proud of it. By participating in today’s Heritage Run, you have seen the actual picture of different areas of Dhaka. In some places, there are good roads; in others, roads are broken, while some areas are muddy due to rain—this is the reality of Dhaka. We have to make the lives of city dwellers better amid this reality.”

He said there is no alternative to cleanliness. Dhaka can be kept more beautiful if city dwellers refrain from throwing waste indiscriminately and if businesses and residents extend cooperation. At the same time, officials and employees of the city corporation must ensure the highest level of service according to their respective responsibilities, he added.

Mentioning that the Heritage Run was organised for the first time, he said there could be shortcomings and mistakes. These would be corrected in the future, and such an event would be organised every year. 

He said there are plans to develop Old Dhaka as a tourist destination, as well as to create separate lanes for cycling and pathways suitable for walking and running.

The DSCC administrator said if everyone performs their respective responsibilities, Dhaka city will become more beautiful. 

As part of the ‘Hridoye Dhaka 416’ festival, featuring stage plays based on the history and heritage of Dhaka will be held at the Zahir Raihan Cultural Centre auditorium in Sutrapur from August 16 to 22. On August 21, a traditional boat race from Kholamora Ghat to Wais Ghat and a special heritage cruise, more than 100 years old, for tourists at Sadarghat have been arranged.

Old films made on Dhaka will be screened at Madhumita Cinema Hall on August 22. From August 21 to 30, ‘The Great Dhaka Sale’ will be held at shopping centres in Dhaka, while during the same period, citizens will be invited to submit letters expressing their emotions and love for Dhaka under the ‘Love Letter to Dhaka’ programme.

Besides, drama produced on Dhaka will be staged at the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy from August 21 to 28; old dramas and other programmes made on Dhaka will be broadcast on Bangladesh Television from August 23 to 29; and a ‘Hridoye Dhaka from a Bird’s Eye View’ festival display by helicopter will be organised on August 24 at the helipad of Zainul Haque Sikder Women’s Medical College and Hospital in North Dhanmondi.

A colourful procession featuring horse-drawn carriages, rickshaws, vintage cars and palanquins will be held from Lakshmibazar to Nagar Bhaban on August 28. 

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is expected to formally inaugurate the festival at Lalbagh Fort at 4:00pm on August 29. At the same time, special cleanliness, mosquito-control and tree-planting programmes will be launched to implement the ‘Clean City, Green City’ initiative.

A kite festival, a special ‘Dhaka Adda’ and cultural programmes, including traditional qawwali, will be held at Lalbagh Fort on August 30. On September 1, prizes will be distributed among children and children with special needs at the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, along with an open art camp featuring renowned artists of the country.

The month-long programme will conclude on September 5 with a traditional panchayeti adda of Old Dhaka at Alamganj Jetty.

The DSCC has urged city dwellers to participate in the celebration of ‘Hridoye Dhaka 416’ with a sense of festivity, pride and responsibility despite their busy daily lives.