It is my great pleasure to introduce you all to the historic Jagannath Hall, a dormitory of the students of the University of Dhaka. The Jagannath hall is situated almost at the center of the campus. It has started its long and glorious journey in 1921 with the recommendation of Calcutta University Commission along with other two halls, namely, Dacca Hall (currently Dr. Muhammad Shahidullah Hall) and Muslim Hall (Sir Salimullah Muslim Hall). Zamindar Kishorilal Roy of Baliati, Manikganj showed his generosity for naming the hall after the name of his father Jagannath Roy. Since then, Jagannath Hall has been witnessing a number of historical events relevant to the University of Dhaka, the Language Movement of 21st February, 1952; and the glorious War of Liberation of Bangladesh in 1971. In this perspective, I feel honored and proud, celebrating its centennial along with our Alma Mater, The University of Dhaka. The centennial festivity has become more meaningful, colorful, and glorious, because of celebrating ‘MUJIB Stotoborsho’, the 100th birthday of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahaman and the Golden Jubilee of the independence of Bangladesh. It is worth mentioning that, the residential character of the University of Dhaka is reflected through its halls. The Jagannath Hall started with 313 enrolled students, out of which 101 were residential and the rest were non-resident. Currently, the total number of enrolled students is about 2500. Professor Dr. Naresh Chandra Sen-Gupta from the Law Department was the first Provost of this hall. Prof. Sen-Gupta made substantial contributions to Bengali literature through his excellent essays, short stories, dramas, and novels apart from his legal practice and writings on law. This hall has been blessed by several legendary scholars like, Nobel Laureate Poet Rabindranath Tagore, National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam and the Novelist Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay, by making their visits during the tenure of second Provost of the hall, Prof. Dr. Ramesh Chandra Majumdar. From 1921 to the present time, students affiliated with this hall contributed significantly towards education, and research and cultural and the political movements, raising strong voices to oppose injustice and to establish humanity and the rule of law. During this 100 years, Jagannath Hall has produced a number of scientists, government cadres, writers, players, and political leaders by giving residential support to the affiliated students under the University of Dhaka. Some has shown excellent performances in their respective fields, both in national and international arena. Along the path of its historic and jubilant journey, the hall has experienced some unforgettable tragedies during the great war of liberation of Bangladesh in 1971 and on 15th October, 1985. Among the first targets, to carry out the massacre by Pakistani Army under the ‘Operation Search Light’ on 25 March 1971, Jagannath Hall was one of them. Famous philosopher, teacher, and researcher Professor Govinda Chandra Dev who was residing near a building of Jagannath Hall along with other teachers and staffs of this Hall were brutally killed by the Pakistani Army. In commemoration, a 'Liberation War Memorial and Mass Tomb' has been built near the place of a mass-grave at Jagannath Hall premises. To show respect to the martyrs, the students of Jagannath Hall sold their own ‘blood’ to bear the costs of placing an epitaph on the tomb, undoubtedly a rare example of this kind. Another tragedy occurred suddenly on October 15, 1985 at 09:00 PM, while students of the hall were watching a popular Bangladesh Television drama serial 'Suktara' in the assembly building, the whole roof of which collapsed due to the day long heavy rainfall. Within an eyeblink, the great tragedy of history took place. A total of 40 students including employees and guests were died in this tragic incident. I might not be able to serve this hall as Provost today, if I was there to watch the drama. I solemnly express my deep shock for those who died in that accident and also share the pain and sympathy to their families. The students of this hall are the main resource, since they are studious, cooperative, intelligent, and friendly and remain ready to show their loves towards mankind and humanity. The hall authority always supports the students to address their legal issues in relation to food and lodge. Along with the residential support, the hall administration dedicatedly works on other facilities of the students in relation to study, sports, cultural program, and joining and arranging different festivals of national and of religious flavor. The outcome of these activities is also greatly acknowledged by the university authority and the local residents Different religious festivals, as arranged over the year by the students of Jagannath Hall, not only enjoyed by the University of Dhaka family, but by the peoples of all walks of life from the Dhaka Metropolis. A few of those are: Shree Shree Saraswati Puja, Shree Shree Durga Puja, Shree Shree Shyama Puja, the holy Buddha Purnima, and the holy Christmas day. These special programs, make it different, from any other halls of the University. During these festivals, students of the Jagannath Hall and their friends from other halls of the University of Dhaka, get an opportunity to forming mass-gathering, supported by friendly discussions and a very special kind of refreshment delivery. The dining facility of the hall is managed via giving strong options to maintain quality and tastes of the foods. To support the demand of the vegetarian students, a vegetarian mess was opened on the ground floor of the Hall Union Building. This kind of facility innovation is unique for the Jagannath Hall in the University of Dhaka. The Jagannath Hall has been operating missions to upgrade the educational and cultural standards of the people residing in the vicinity of the University of Dhaka campus. To address its mission and vision, regularly published annual magazines namely ‘Basantika’, ‘Shukla’, ‘Sharod’ and ’15 October Smriti Kotha’ are patronized by the hall administration. The Provost of the hall, run the administration in cooperation with a group of well-experienced and qualified teachers of the university as House Tutors and Assistant House Tutors. Besides, a team work offered by a group of efficient and experienced officers, staffs, gardeners, and cooks provide vital supports to the resident and non-resident students of the hall. Me, as Provost and my office is always ready to welcome to listen to our dearest students, honorable teachers, and visitors during a pre-fixed mutually given convenient time. Following this process, the services of the hall is thereby guaranteed for the future generation.
