A social programme was held on the premises of Dhaka University's Institute of Social Welfare and Research to mark the 48th founding anniversary of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).

Teachers, students and student leaders took part in the programme, which included a cleanliness drive, planting fruit trees, and handing out dengue prevention leaflets and Odomos.

The programme, held at 11:45am on Tuesday, 1 September, was organised by Md Tariqul Islam Tarique, joint general secretary of the Chhatra Dal central committee and former elected general secretary of the Salimullah Muslim Hall Chhatra Dal.

Professor Dr Mahbuba Sultana, director of the Institute of Social Welfare and Research, was chief guest, and Professor Dr Sheikh Tauhidul Islam, the institute's student adviser, was special guest.

Professors Dr Nurul Islam, Dr Rabiul Islam and Dr Hafiz Uddin of the institute were also present, along with Chhatra Dal leaders and activists from Dhaka University and various halls.

The programme began with a cleanliness drive on the institute premises. Participants then planted fruit trees on the campus, and leaflets on preventing dengue and Odomos mosquito repellent cream were handed out to students and members of the public.

In her speech, Professor Mahbuba Sultana said a university is not only a centre of learning but also an important place for building a sense of social responsibility. When students work on real problems in society, they pave the way for positive change for the whole of society, not just themselves.

Dengue is now one of the country's main public health problems, she said. Government action alone is not enough to prevent it; collective awareness among individuals, families and educational institutions is needed. Young people must likewise come forward to build a culture of protecting the environment and keeping things clean.

Professor Sheikh Tauhidul Islam said socially responsible activities help students become humane and responsible citizens, and that dengue prevention, environmental protection and cleanliness are all very important today.

Chhatra Dal leader Md Tariqul Islam Tarique said they wanted to hold a programme on the BNP's founding anniversary that would send a positive message to society. Politics is not limited to meetings, rallies and speeches; its true beauty lies in working for people's welfare, he said.

A clean environment, greening and dengue prevention are now national needs, he added. If the young generation can be involved in these issues, society will become more aware and responsible. Chhatra Dal always believes in standing by students and the public and carrying out welfare work, and such social initiatives will continue.

Students who took part said that raising awareness on public interest issues alongside political programmes set a positive example. They believe that regular activities on cleanliness, environmental protection and public health would further strengthen students' sense of social responsibility.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.