Minhaz Ahmed Prince, literature and publications secretary of the Chhatra Dal central committee, has distributed awareness leaflets among Dhaka University students, calling for a clean and safe Bangladesh.

The programme began on the morning of Thursday, 10 September, at the Central Library premises and passed through Hakim Chattar, the Arts Faculty building, Campus Shadow, the Business Faculty, Mall Chattar, the Registrar Building area and VC Chattar before ending at the Social Science Faculty premises.

The leaflets, distributed at the student leader's initiative, raised awareness about environmental protection, cleanliness, tree planting, saving energy and water, and maintaining social order and harmony.

Under the pledge "Our Bangladesh, we will build it", the leaflets urged people to build a clean, green, beautiful and safe Bangladesh through small daily habits.

On the environment and waste management, they asked people to dispose of rubbish in designated places rather than anywhere, to clean their surroundings on Saturdays or at least one day a week, to avoid polythene and single-use plastic and to use eco-friendly materials. They also mentioned proper separation and management of household waste.

On tree planting and nature conservation, they called on every family to plant at least one tree; to take part in planting along roadsides, on madrasa, school, college and university grounds and on fallow land; to plant at least two trees in place of any that must be cut; and to be kind to pets, birds and other creatures and create a suitable environment for them. They also urged people to keep rivers, canals, wetlands and water bodies free of pollution.

Stressing saving electricity and water, they asked people not to use unnecessary lights during the day, to make proper use of natural light where possible and to prevent needless waste of water.

To maintain order, beauty and normality, they urged people to obey traffic signals, keep good relations with neighbours, stand by others in times of trouble, protect public and social property and do at least one good deed every day.

Minhaz Ahmed Prince said: "We want to build a Bangladesh where a clean and beautiful environment is ensured and people are responsible and caring towards the environment and nature. Government initiatives alone are not enough to build a green and beautiful Bangladesh; every citizen must do their duty from where they are."

Leaders and activists who took part said the leaflets quoted Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's message—"We will work, we will build the country: Bangladesh before all, Bangladesh for all"—to encourage citizens' collective efforts for the country and its people.

Leaders and activists of Chhatra Dal's Dhaka University and hall units and students took part in the programme.

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