Guardians of the City: BracU Students Take the Lead
Following the pivotal events of August 4th, the country has faced significant turmoil, including the fall of a fascist regime, the dissolution of the police force, and concerns over safety and vandalism. Amidst these challenges, Brac University students have stepped up to restore order and protect their community.
On August 7th, a group of BracU students mobilized to clean the university entrance. Using social media, they raised funds and organized a broader effort to improve the city. Over three hundred students volunteered to control traffic, clean the streets, paint murals, and plant trees in the Badda area. Some students arrived as early as 10 a.m. and stayed until 5 p.m. to ensure the success of these initiatives.
Tamima Akter (Graduate,EEE), who participated from morning to evening, described the traffic management system they implemented: “We enforced a lane system where heavy vehicles move on the left lane, and motorbikes and CNGs move on the right. We are stopping bikers without helmets and giving them a time penalty.”
Students actively monitored vehicles, checking for proper documentation and ensuring safety protocols were followed. They penalized rule-breakers with a 10-15 minute time delay. Remarkably, the penalized individuals responded positively, often apologizing for their mistakes. Students even provided refreshments to these individuals.
Albab Maswood Haider (Senior, MNS) commented on the organic growth of the movement, stating, “The whole initiative grew out of a post in the BracU United Facebook group.” He emphasized that students who couldn’t participate physically contributed by raising funds.
The community also showed immense support. Locals brought water, lunch, and sweets to the volunteers, creating a jubilant atmosphere.
A group of twenty artists worked on removing graffiti and painting a mural depicting significant events of the movement. Ibtida Idris (MNS), who coordinated the mural project, stated, “We wanted the mural to embody the movement and remind people of the sacrifices students have made.” They plan to create additional murals around East West University tomorrow.
A passerby, moved by the mural, commented, “Seeing the mural, I feel proud of what the students have done.”
The acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Syed Mahfuzul Aziz , also applauded the students’ efforts, calling them the inspiration of the nation.
