A ward stands out
Jamal Khan Ward has regained its beauty, thanks to its councillor who took a spontaneous initiative to renovate the ward and keep it clean to further reinforce widespread recognition of the ward being a green and healthy one.
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It all started in 2016, when Chittagong City Corporation (CCC)'s Jamal Khan Ward Councillor Shaibal Das Sumon undertook some laudable initiatives including removing open dumpsters and setting up of roadside waste bins for dumping solid waste, beautification of road islands and medians and tree plantation.
The ward of 0.78 square kilometer has a beautiful fountain at Jamal Khan intersection, which is the centre point, to welcome every passer-by. It gets even more dazzling when the decorative lights are switched on every evening.
Besides, attractive roadside seating arrangements for around 100 people have been made on one side of the intersection for short relaxation or a little chat in between.
Sinthia Karim and Taposi Rudra, both ninth graders, said they reside in Paschim Bakulia and Chawkbazar wards respectively but regularly come to Jamal Khan for tuitions. It is a great place to relax under the open sky and in front of a fountain after long hectic classes.
“Our ward does not have any seating arrangement where walkers, especially students, can sit and take rest for a while. Therefore, we often spend some time here after our classes,” Sinthia said.
Besides, an eye-catching terracotta design depicting history of the country was made on the boundary wall of Dr Khastagir Government Girl's High School in the intersection area which never fails to draw attention of the passers-by.
Spreading over 570 square feet area, the aesthetic yet educative terracotta design not only symbolises arts, beauty and taste but also speaks about many important events of the history.
Another sublime initiative made to refresh the residents' mind is the tile mural on the red brick boundary wall of Saint Mary's School which is also situated in the intersection area.
These murals, built over 560 square-feet area, represent 20 notable personalities and their quotations, including Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Rabindranath Tagore, Kazi Nazrul Islam, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, Michael Madhusadan Dutta, Begum Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain, Lalon, Dr Muhammad Shahidullah, and anti-British heroes Masterda Surya Sen and Preetilata Waddedar.
A retired schoolteacher, Ratna Raha, who lives in the area, said the ward is wearing a completely new look. It looks clean, tidy, beautiful as well as peaceful.
Under the cleanliness initiative, the proactive ward councillor, Shaibal Das Sumon, removed all the 32 open dumpsters from the ward and set up some 200 dustbins at every 100 feet of roads in important areas in last one year.
A pedestrian, Belal Chowdhury, told this correspondent that he had come to visit his maternal uncle in Jamal Khan area from Cox's Bazar after a year. It was a big surprise when he saw all the dumpsters on the footpath were replaced with nice green seating arrangements.
Belal, a higher secondary certificate (HSC) examinee, said, “Even last year, the roads were covered with garbage. I hardly wanted to get out of the house as there was a large dustbin on footpath, opposite Seniors' Club, and we had to hold our breath every time we passed by it.”
Contacted, town planner Engr Subash Barua said Jamal Khan Ward can be a good example for the other 40 wards in the city.
“I often go for a walk and feel delighted to see people from all age groups enjoy their quality time sitting on those roadside seats,” said Subash.
“Other ward councillors should also take similar initiative to make the whole city a clean and green one,” he added.
When contacted, the man behind all this success, Sumon, said, “Fund cannot be a constraint if a public representative really intends to make development in his area.”
“I did not wait for government funds because I knew it would take so long. So, I arranged sponsorship from individuals and the corporate sector which provided the fund as part of their social responsibility programmes,” he said.
“I have deployed six night guards to strengthen security in the area. Next month, I will assign six more guards for daytime to keep a check on the city dwellers for keeping the areas clean,” he added.
Initially, the beautification was done surrounding the intersection as it is the centre of the zone.
Sumon said he had plans to build 34 more murals of notable personalities up to Love Lane are, set up a bird sanctuary and a large fish aquarium in the ward, so that the children can know about the legendary people, and different bird and fish species.
Among challenges, Sumon said although the city dwellers have become more conscious than before, the percentage is some 40. But, it will be difficult to make all the residents aware and restrain them of making the area dirty, he said, calling upon all the inhabitants to cooperate.
Contacted, CCC Mayor AJM Nasir Uddin said now the other ward councillors should take it as challenge and develop their respective zones.
“We will make all the 41 wards clean and green this year,” he said.
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