“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”
– Helen Keller
The Incident of August 7th: After the revolution
Shall I tell you the story of a new Bangladesh? Today, at 10 AM, over 250 young men and women gathered on their own initiative, along with the Amrai Bangladesh Team, Young Leaders Platform, Bangladesh Reads, and other platforms, to clean the Dhaka University area, cover inappropriate wall writings, and perform various other tasks.
Students from Dhaka University, Jahangirnagar University, Jagannath University, North South University, and other colleges joined us. We raised 13,000 BDT in just 10 minutes through crowdfunding to buy necessary supplies. One group went to purchase the materials.
We divided into three teams to cover different areas: one team went to Shaheed Minar and Curzon Hall, another to TSC and Shahbagh, and the third to Fuller Road, VC Courtyard, Madhur Canteen, and the Arts and Social Sciences buildings.
I was part of the Fuller Road team. The statues of some of the greatest figures in Bengali history near Fuller Road were completely destroyed. We were shocked and wondered how these heavy cement statues were broken. Despite our efforts, we couldn’t lift some of them. We managed to restore a few and straightened others as much as possible. We also cleared away the debris.
By the time we finished, the paint and other supplies arrived and were sent to the other teams. The security guard of the statues hugged us and handed over an old 10-liter paint bucket.
The work began at lightning speed. One group scrubbed the walls with sandpaper, while another applied a double coat of paint. Some added water to the paint, while others advised against it. But no one gave up. No one lost their temper like a certain former prime minister. Everyone listened to each other’s opinions.
We cleaned the walls of Fuller Road, the VC’s shed, Madhur Canteen, the Arts Building, and the Social Sciences Building. But we made sure to preserve the revolutionary slogans and the language of the movements. We called the other teams and found they were doing the same.
At Madhur Canteen, we met Professor Samina Lutfa. She inquired about our work and spontaneously offered financial support. We also met Fatema Mam from the Dhaka University State Department, who personally went to Palashi to help students with supplies and other tasks. The food, water, and other assistance were overwhelming. Even the rickshaw pullers refused to take fares today.
We realized that there’s no shortage of people willing to help with good causes in this country.
By 1:30 PM, we all gathered at TSC. After eating, we shared our feelings and pledged to rebuild this country anew. We all believe this Bangladesh is ours. We will not let any destructive forces enter this land. With the goal of building a secular and inclusive Bangladesh, we will reunite in the coming days, perhaps even tomorrow—more organized and stronger than ever.
This is today’s story, the story of a new Bangladesh. You wouldn’t believe it unless you saw it with your own eyes! Even if you watched these young dreamers for a million years, your heart wouldn’t be satisfied.
You are Bangladesh! We are the Amrai Bangladesh Team!