Rajshahi central Shaheed Minar awaits inauguration

A central Shaheed Minar has been constructed in Rajshahi for the first time. Only the formal inauguration now remains pending. Construction work has already been completed on approximately one acre of land at the site of the old Survey Institute in the metropolitan area, as previously planned.

According to Rajshahi District Parishad sources, the central Shaheed Minar has been constructed at a cost of approximately Tk 7 crore 80 lakh under the initiative of the District Parishad. Previously, on December 16, 2020, the foundation stone was laid under the management of Rajshahi City Corporation. On that day, the foundation stone was formally laid by Golam Arif Tipu, then Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal and language veteran Bir Muktijoddha from Rajshahi.

Rajshahi resident Milon said that until now, ordinary citizens had to go to Rajshahi College premises to pay tribute to the martyrs, which was somewhat inconvenient for everyone. With the construction of the central Shaheed Minar, the long-standing expectation of the city dwellers is about to be fulfilled.

District Parishad Chief Executive Officer Umme Fatima informed that a views-exchange meeting has been arranged regarding this matter on Tuesday. A decision may be taken to open the Shaheed Minar to the public on the great Language Martyrs' Day. However, the inauguration and publicity matters will be handled by the district administration.

City dwellers hope that this central Shaheed Minar, embodying the spirit of the language movement, will become an important symbol of respect, remembrance and inspiration for future generations.