Cooperation of all needed to build humane, inclusive, livable Dhaka: Anee

Water Resources Minister Md Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee today (9 September) said Dhaka is not just a city but the repository of the nation's history, heritage, culture and struggle. 

"Cooperation of all is needed to build a humane, inclusive and livable city upholding Dhaka's 416-year-old heritage," he said.

The minister made these remarks while speaking as the chief guest at the prize distribution and felicitation ceremony of a drawing competition for children with special needs, organised by Dhaka South City Corporation at the Chitrashala Auditorium of Shilpakala Academy in the capital, said a ministry press release.

He further said creative activities, including drawing, boost children's self-confidence and create opportunities for the development of their latent talents. Properly recognising the talents of children with special needs is a social and moral responsibility, he said. 

He thanked Dhaka South City Corporation for presenting Dhaka anew before the people through month-long events under the banner "416 Years of Dhaka".

Mentioning that Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman's contribution to the cultural arena is undeniable, Anee Chowdhury said that he established the Shishu Academy and organised various national and international fine arts and cultural competitions for the proper practice of culture. 

Following Zia's tradition, Begum Khaleda Zia undertook multifaceted activities in cultural practice, including increasing grants for destitute artists, the minister said, adding that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, as a worthy successor of the Zia family, would do everything necessary for the development of the cultural arena.

On the occasion, at the closing ceremony of the month-long events marking Dhaka's 416 years, the guests handed over honours and certificates to the winners and participants of the drawing competition.