The Beautification and Modernization of Rajshahi City: Expectations and Challenges

 

The formation of city corporations is one of the prime focuses of the government to modernize the relevant city for people-friendly and more-service-orientedcorporations. Every division has one city corporation each, except Dhaka and Chattrogram. Bangladesh hastwelvecity corporations. The following divisions haveonly one City Corporationeach: Barisal City Corporation, Khulna City Corporation, Mymensingh City Corporation, Rajshahi City Corporation, Rangpur City Corporation, and Sylhet City Corporation. However, the Chittagong division has two city corporations, followed by, Chittagong City Corporation and Comilla City Corporation. On the other hand, Dhaka division has four city corporations, followed by Dhaka South City Corporation, Dhaka North City Corporation, Gazipur City Corporation, and Narayanganj City Corporation.To ensure effective city corporations, every city corporationneeds to apply good practice in their own city corporation area in order to make it people-friendly and service-oriented. However, other city corporations in Bangladesh can adopt some policies from Rajshahi city for their own city corporations regarding garbage management. No matter the size of the city corporation, if any policy is executedproperly, then people will benefit from this good practice.

Rajshahi is one of the most beautiful, growing, and old cities in Bangladesh. It has aidedvarious sectors of Bangladesh, especially inraising voices against injustice, opposing the British Raj, initiating language movements, and playing an important rolein Bangladesh' liberation war.It has also built up its own cultureand heritage.The silk industry is one of the most vital industries in Bangladesh.This region is renowned for its silk industry. On the other hand, the communication process between Rajshahi andother city is very easy. People and tourists can travel in three ways, respectively: roads, railways, and airways. Therefore, people are encouraged to go there for easy regional connectivity.

Rajshahi was an integral part of ancient Bengal. Moreover, it was a chunk of the Pundra region.Rajshahi was established in 1700. Some critics argue that the antiquity of Rajshahi City goes back to at least 1634 AD. It has a border with West Bengal, India. It is also regarded as a silk and education city. Once upon a time, the city was called by different names for the diverse rulers. Mohakalgor was the primitive name of Rajshahi. Then it was changed to Rampur-Beualeah. However, there is a lot debate among the critics and experts about its name. Later, itwaschanged to Rajshahi. On the other hand, the city is called a green, clean, and silk city for its overall atmosphere and heritage.The Varenda Research Museum is another important centre to uphold the national heritage of Rajshahi city. It is not only famous in this regionbut also renowned in South Asia.

Another enticing feature of Rajshahi is theBagha Shahi Mosque, Kismatmardia Mosque, and other Muslim heritages. Puthia Rajbari is also another trademark of Rajshahi city. The Bangladesh Sericulture Development Board (BSDB) was established for the development of sericulture and its cultivation in the region. The beauty of this palace has already amused local and international tourists over the years. Some other notable and historical venues of Rajshahi city are, respectively, Shrineof Hazrat Shah Mokhdum (Ra), BSIC industrial area, University of Rajshahi, Shabash Bangladesh monument, Puthia Temple Complex, Rajshahi College, Rajshahi Public Library, and Shaheed Kamaruzzaman Central Park and Zoo.

The Rajshahi City Corporation was established in 1991. The authorities of Rajshahi city are trying to ensure a check and balance between traditional and modern architecture, culture and its heritage. The common people of this city have been cooperating with stakeholders by following rules and regulations since the inception of COVID-19 and other national crises and emergencies. For example, people welcome the recent initiative about the closure of shops at 08.00 pm. Everyone is trying to follow the notification and maintain the rules and regulations compared with other cities.

Rajshahi is also notable for planting different types of mangoes. Generally, the farmers cultivate Gopalbhog(May 20), Laxmanbhog or Laxhna, Ranipasand (May 25), Himsagaror Kheershapaat (May 28), Langra (June 28), Amrapali and Fazli (June 15), Ashwina, BARI-4 (July 10), Gourmoti, and Illamoti.Later, the farmers collect the mangoes at the above-mentioned timesat different time throughout the mango season. These above-mentioned mangoes are exported and imported across the globe for theirdelicious taste and vitamins. The local agricultural institutions and officials give some guidelines throughout the process of cultivating the mangoes before and after the mango farming.

There is a debate about the modernization of Rajshahi City. Some people argue that the current modernization does not ensure sustainable development, which is why some are against thismotion.However, some critics said that they are happy with the present beautification and modernization of Rajshahi city. If anyone can visit the city, they will easily find the traditional food items and other necessary things. For example, people can find some street fooditems followed by Singara, Jhalmuri, different delicious sweet items, Samosa, Puri, and burgers with the same taste compared with previous times.The prices of the above-mentioned food items are reasonable and cheap compared with other city corporations in Bangladesh. These above-mentioned traditional food items are favorite cuisine items among tourists and local people. However, some inhabitants are not happy with excessive modern development and renovations of this city. They thought that excessive decoration and lighting have already lost the traditional color of Rajshahi City. They did not find the real beauty of Rajshahi during the day and night for excessive decoration and lighting. Therefore, the authorities of Rajshahi City need to be more careful aboutthe combination betweentraditional and modernarchitectures.

The garbage management of Rajshahi city is also good as the city has already gained a position as therole model for its cleanliness and beautification for other cities.Generally, the city corporation cleans the garbage after midnight and before sunrise. Therefore, ordinary people did not see any hassle and were free from the odor of garbage. However, people are really amazed about the cleanliness and beauty of Rajshahi city in recent times.

The city has another milestone of high-stored buildings across the municipalities with modern architecture. Tourists, and ordinarypeople are astonishedby the lucrative buildingsand their structures in different locations. The beauty of houses and buildings isunique and different. Moreover, you will find everythingfrom small houses to multi-story building. The low traffic is another lucrative factor for tourists and other visitors and inhabitants.

Some luminous people who contributed to upholding culture, heritage, role in language movements, part in Liberation war and other sectors of Bangladesh are remarkable and renowned and resourceful persons of this Rajshahi. The distinguished and notable people are Shaheed Abul Hasnat Muhammad Kamaruzzaman, Hasan Azizul Huq (story writer, author and linguist), Illa Mitra, Sir Jadunath Sarkar, Mohammad Shamsuzzoha (Professor, University of Rajshahi, and active participant in the Bengali Language Movement), and Andrew Kishore (Singer).There have also been other notable public figures in Rajshahi who have contributedto Rajshahi over the centuries.

The authoritieshave already set up different monuments, gate, sculptors to pay homage tothe martyrs in order to uphold history, heritage, as well as symbols of the of liberation war of Bangladesh in different locations of the cities. The city corporation has already set up some lucrative and wonderful monuments in the city corporation area. The notable monuments, sculptors, and gatesare, respectively, the Bangabandhu Monument and Smriti AmlanMonument. The Bangabandhu Monumentis situatedat CNB Morin Rajshahi City. It is one of the most beautiful and largest sculptures of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on earth. However, the educational institutions also established some monuments and other relevant sculptures with correlation to national spirit and heritage in their own campus.

The authorities of Rajshahi city needto implement its development activities while ensuring sustainable development. First of all, it needs to ensure governance in water resource management. Everybody should take care of the Padma River as the river is a lifeline for Rajshahi. Tourists, ordinary people and local authorities need to be careful about plastic and other uncomfortablethings around water bodies. Secondly, the authorities can apply 3R, followed by reduce, reuse, and recycle, to accelerate garbage management properly. On the other hand, the authorities must use modern dams and other environmentally friendly pre-cautions measures to protect the Rajshahi from river erosion. The current T-dam is one of the laudable initiatives of the Rajshahi City Corporation to protect the city from environmental disasters. Last but not least, every city corporation needs to prioritize its heritage and utilize its resources properly.


Md. Habibur Rahman is a writer,
poet, and researcher.