The day Dhaka turned into a city of celebration
What began as a tense night ended with a triumphant dawn for Dhaka
The night of 4 August was restless. Anxiety hung heavy in the air as we braced for the much-anticipated "March to Dhaka" called by the anti-discrimination student movement. For weeks, Dhaka had felt like a city trapped in fear—a place teetering on the edge.
The next morning, I reached my office, ready to head out for my assignment. Suddenly, the internet went out. Moments later, a breaking news scroll appeared on TV: the army chief would address the nation. My heart skipped a beat—something monumental was about to unfold. Two hours later, Army Chief General Waker-uz-Zaman spoke. His words stunned the nation: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had fled to India with her sister Rehana.
The news spread like wildfire. Protesters erupted in jubilation, and Dhaka transformed overnight. After 36 days of blood-soaked struggle, the capital's streets turned into a festival ground. Flags waved high, tied around heads and held proudly in hands, as crowds poured out to celebrate. People thanked the army for their role, chanting slogans of victory. Traffic disappeared entirely—Dhaka belonged to the people.
By 2 PM, I found myself at Shahbagh, outside Hotel Intercontinental, staring at a sea of humanity. Faces gleamed with joy, tears of relief mingling with laughter. Everyone shared the same sentiment: "Today marks a new dawn for Bangladesh."
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I stayed there for two more hours, soaking in the energy. Shahbagh was alive—filled with footsteps, chants, and unrestrained hope. In every voice, one message rang clear: Bangladesh is free from misrule. A new chapter begins today.
That day, Dhaka wasn't just a city. It was the heart of a nation reborn.
