Published: 12:11 AM, 15 August 2026
Dhaka Heritage Cycle Rally held to celebrate history, culture
A "Dhaka Heritage Cycle Rally" was held in the capital on Friday morning as part of a month-long festival aimed at highlighting Dhaka's rich history, heritage and cultural legacy, and strengthening citizens' sense of ownership and responsibility towards the city.
The rally was organised by Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC), starting at 7:00am from the historic Dhaka Gate, UNB reports.
State Minister for Road Transport and Highways, and Railways Habibur Rashid Habib inaugurated the rally as the chief guest, while Dhaka-7 MP Hamidur Rahman attended as a special guest with DSCC Administrator Abdus Salam in the chair.
Around 300 citizens took part in the cycle rally arranged as part of "Hridoye Dhaka 416" festival, being held from August 1 to September 5 to mark the 416th anniversary of Dhaka.
Starting from the Dhaka Gate, the rally passed through TSC intersection, Shahbagh intersection, Bata Signal, Science Lab intersection, Nilkhet intersection, Azimpur intersection, Etimkhana intersection, Dhakeshwari Temple, Madrasah Education Board, Bakshibazar intersection, Central Shaheed Minar, Secretariat, National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery and Bangabazar intersection before ending at Nagar Bhaban.
Each participating cyclist was awarded a medal and certificate by the DSCC.
Addressing the event, State Minister Habib said Dhaka is the city of their hearts and a bearer of the country's history and heritage.
"Bangladesh's future is centred around Dhaka. Therefore, we have to build a safe, clean and liveable Dhaka," he said, adding that it should be a city where every citizen feels safe and enjoys a comfortable environment.
In his address, DSCC Administrator Salam said strengthening the emotional bond and sense of ownership between citizens and the capital, which has a history, heritage and culture spanning more than four centuries, is now a pressing need.
He said many citizens have not developed the desired sense of attachment and responsible civic consciousness towards Dhaka due to inadequate familiarity and engagement with the city's history, heritage and cultural diversity.
He said the main objective of the initiative is to present Dhaka's history, heritage and culture to citizens in a new way and inspire greater love, ownership and responsibility towards the city.
As part of the remaining programmes, a "Dhaka Heritage Run" will be held on August 15 from Motijheel Shapla Chattar to Buriganga Mancha at Swarighat.
A theatre festival featuring stage productions based on Dhaka will be held at the Zahir Raihan Cultural Centre auditorium in Sutrapur from August 16 to 22.
A traditional boat race will take place from Kholamora Ghat to Wais Ghat on August 21, while tourists will be able to enjoy a special heritage cruise on a century-old vessel from Sadarghat on the same day.
Old films made on Dhaka will be screened at Madhumita Cinema Hall on August 22.
