Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Monday inaugurated the newly built July Uprising Memorial and the renovated Osmani Udyan in Dhaka, reopening the historic park to the public after a decade.
He formally inaugurated the memorial and the park’s modernisation project around 10am by unveiling a plaque at a ceremony attended by family members of those killed during the July mass uprising of 2024.
A munajat was offered, seeking forgiveness and eternal peace for the souls of those killed in the uprising and praying for the wellbeing of the country and its people.
After the inauguration, the Prime Minister planted a sapling at a designated spot in the park.
Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam, and Dhaka South City Corporation Administrator Abdus Salam were present.
Located at the junction of old and new Dhaka, the 23-acre Osmani Udyan has been redeveloped by the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) into a modern, environment-friendly public space.
The renovated park features a lake, fountains, walking paths, a modern library, a gymnasium, a cafeteria, improved lighting and security facilities, a rainwater harvesting system and expanded green spaces.
A memorial dedicated to those killed during the July 2024 uprising has been built at the centre of the park to preserve their memory.
The names of those killed have been engraved on steel plates, while images depicting the movement have been permanently installed inside the memorial’s railings. Symbolic graves have also been placed in front of the structure.
The park has been designed to give residents a place to walk, relax, exercise and spend time with their families.
Fruit-bearing, forest and medicinal trees have also been planted as part of efforts to expand greenery and improve the environment.
The reopening is expected to improve residents’ access to an open public space in the heart of Dhaka.