Celebrating Dhaka's everyday heroes: Dhaka North's new Citizen Award | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Get the Paper
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Sunday
July 20, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Get the Paper
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
SUNDAY, JULY 20, 2025
Celebrating Dhaka's everyday heroes: Dhaka North's new Citizen Award

Bangladesh

Md Jahidul Islam
16 July, 2025, 01:00 am
Last modified: 16 July, 2025, 01:54 pm

Related News

  • Dhaka North allocates Tk188 crore for mosquito control in FY2025–26 budget
  • Dhaka North to set up air quality monitoring devices in all wards
  • Over 4.66 lakh animals sacrificed in Dhaka North during Eid: Administrator Azaz
  • ‘Fresh waste came after late night qurbani’: Dhaka North on Eid cleanup
  • Dhaka North to mark houses discharging waste into lakes and canals with red paint: Administrator

Celebrating Dhaka's everyday heroes: Dhaka North's new Citizen Award

The first award ceremony is planned for next month, with an estimated budget of Tk20 lakh allocated for logistics, publicity, medals, prize money, and event management

Md Jahidul Islam
16 July, 2025, 01:00 am
Last modified: 16 July, 2025, 01:54 pm
Photo: Courtesy
Photo: Courtesy

Dhaka North City Corporation is preparing to introduce a new "Citizen Award" programme to honour individuals and organisations that make significant contributions to urban development and civic life.

The first award ceremony is planned for next month, with an estimated budget of Tk20 lakh allocated for logistics, publicity, medals, prize money, and event management.

Unlike traditional annual awards, the Citizen Award will be presented quarterly or biannually. Each round will recognise up to 30 recipients, bringing the annual total to 60 to 120.

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

Awards will be distributed across six "impact segments" that mirror the city's biggest sustainability challenges. These are: Individual Heroes, Community Changemakers, Eco-Schools and Campuses, Green Business Champions, Awareness Amplifiers, and Smart City Innovators.

Dhaka North officials say the staggered schedule is meant to keep volunteer energy high all year long and allow rapid recognition of seasonal initiatives, such as monsoon tree plantation or winter blanket drives, before momentum fades.

Dhaka North City Administrator Mohammad Azaz told The Business Standard, "Over time, a strained relationship had developed between the city corporation and its citizens regarding the delivery and reception of civic services." 

Building on the goal to help mend the relationship, he further stated, "We aim to honour individuals and institutions who contribute meaningfully to the city. These contributors will not only be recognised but also gradually engaged in the city corporation's decision-making processes."

Who will receive this Award?

Any citizen, child, or senior, male, or female, can be nominated under the Individual Heroes category. The people who work on solo tree-planting, street or park or canal clean-ups, animal welfare, waste-segregation awareness.  

Organisations from local youth clubs to national NGOs fall under Community Changemakers. Neighbourhood groups restoring canals, conducting door-to-door recycling drives, hosting climate workshops.

For the Eco-Schools and Campuses category schools, colleges and universities can jointly apply. Student-led recycling projects, green clubs, inclusive service programme organisers can apply for this as well. 

Green Business Champions select from small firms using eco-friendly packaging, investing part of profits in social causes, recycle product users and others.

The Awareness Amplifiers will select from Journalists, YouTubers or bloggers producing investigative or instructional content on pollution, encroachment, social justice. 

Smart City Innovators count from technologists behind smart waste bins, water-saving devices, traffic-safety apps and others.

Under the slogan "My City, My Responsibility," Dhaka North will open nominations shortly before each quarterly ceremony via its website and social media. Candidates, peers, or institutions can submit entries, which must include a project description, supporting photos or videos, at least one endorsement letter, and relevant impact data.

A five-member scrutiny committee from Dhaka North's key departments: waste management, environment, drainage, slum development, public relations, and ICT will first review applications. Shortlisted entries will then be evaluated by a five-person jury panel appointed annually by the Administrator or Mayor.

Each awardee will receive a cash prize, medal, certificate, and commemorative crest.

Experts applaud initiative, emphasise importance of transparency

President of the Bangladesh Institute of Planners, Adil Mohammed Khan, told The Business Standard, "City corporations were established to foster engagement between citizens and their elected representatives. Unfortunately, over the past several years, that connection has not been meaningfully cultivated." 

Praising Dhaka North's initiative to recognise citizens' contribution he added that, "it is crucial to maintain transparency and consistency in such initiatives, while also ensuring inclusive participation from all segments of urban society."

Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC)

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • Tarique Rahman. Sketch: TBS
    Tarique urges all to stay alert against election sabotage plot
  • Tottho Apas have been protesting in front of the National Press Club in Dhaka for months, with no headway in sight. Photo: Mehedi Hasan
    From empowerment to exclusion: The crisis facing Bangladesh’s Tottho Apas
  • Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman spoke at the party's first national rally at Suhrawardy Udyan in the capital today (19 July). Photo: Rajib Dhar
    No extortion or corruption if Jamaat voted to power: Shafiqur at Suhrawardy rally

MOST VIEWED

  • Representational Photo: Collected
    Railway allocates special trains for Jamaat's national rally in Dhaka
  • Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus and SpaceX Vice President Lauren Dreyer after a meeting at state guest house Jamuna on 18 July 2025. Photo: Focus Bangla
    SpaceX VP Lauren Dreyer praises Bangladesh's efficiency in facilitating Starlink launch
  • Dollar rate falling fast – what it means for the economy
    Dollar rate falling fast – what it means for the economy
  • Governments often rely on foreign loans. Russia’s loans covered 90% of the Rooppur Nuclear Power plant project's cost. Photo: Collected
    Loan tenure for Rooppur plant extended 
  • Representational image. Photo: Unsplash
    Mobile operators give 1GB free data to users observing 'Free Internet Day' today
  • Smuggled goods seized at Sylhet border on 18 July 2025. Photo: TBS
    BGB seizes smuggled Indian goods worth Tk6cr from Sylhet border areas

Related News

  • Dhaka North allocates Tk188 crore for mosquito control in FY2025–26 budget
  • Dhaka North to set up air quality monitoring devices in all wards
  • Over 4.66 lakh animals sacrificed in Dhaka North during Eid: Administrator Azaz
  • ‘Fresh waste came after late night qurbani’: Dhaka North on Eid cleanup
  • Dhaka North to mark houses discharging waste into lakes and canals with red paint: Administrator

Features

Tottho Apas have been protesting in front of the National Press Club in Dhaka for months, with no headway in sight. Photo: Mehedi Hasan

From empowerment to exclusion: The crisis facing Bangladesh’s Tottho Apas

2h | Panorama
The main points of clashes were in Jatrabari, Uttara, Badda, and Mirpur. Violence was also reported in Mohammadpur. Photo: TBS

20 July 2024: At least 37 killed amid curfew; Key coordinator Nahid Islam detained

1h | Panorama
Jatrabari in the capital looks like a warzone as police, alongside Chhatra League men, swoop on quota reform protesters. Photo: Mehedi Hasan

19 July 2024: At least 148 killed as government attempts to quash protests violently

1d | Panorama
Illustration: TBS

Curfews, block raids, and internet blackouts: Hasina’s last ditch efforts to cling to power

1d | Panorama

More Videos from TBS

After Gopalganj, the reason why NCP is facing obstacles in Cox's Bazar?

After Gopalganj, the reason why NCP is facing obstacles in Cox's Bazar?

3h | TBS Today
What does Jamaat Nayeb Ameer Abdullah Taher say about reforms?

What does Jamaat Nayeb Ameer Abdullah Taher say about reforms?

3h | TBS Today
The tendency of central banks to buy gold is increasing worldwide.

The tendency of central banks to buy gold is increasing worldwide.

4h | Others
Sarjisra’s Message at Jamaat’s Suhrawardy Udyan’s assembly

Sarjisra’s Message at Jamaat’s Suhrawardy Udyan’s assembly

4h | TBS Today
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net