17-member body formed for turning Ganabhaban into museum

A 17-member committee has been to transform Ganabhaban, the official residence of former prime minister sheikh Hasina, into a museum titled ‘July Mass Uprising Memorial Museum’.

The museum will preserve the memories of repression during the past 16 years in Bangladesh and the history of students’ movement and their victory

Writer and Filmmaker Dr Ebadur Rahman will act as its Convener while Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant Md Mahfuz Alam as Joint Convener of the committee.

Information and Broadcasting Adviser Md Nahid Islam announced the committee on Thursday at a press briefing in front of Ganabhaban, says a ministry press release.

It said that the other members of committee are — writer and human rights activist Mustain Billah, Fine Arts Department of Jagannath University teacher Jahid Sabuj, Anthropology Department of National University teacher Dr Nurul Momen Bhuiyan, photographer, teacher and director of Research and Publication Department of Shilpakala Academy Tanzim Wahab, writer and researcher Sahul Ahmed Munna, architecture Marina Tabassum, director general of Bangladesh National Museum, director general of Department of Archaeology, chief engineer of Public Works Department, additional chief architect of Department of Architecture Md Asifur Rahman Bhuiyan, president or representative of Institute of Architects Bangladesh, Architecture Bayezid Mahbub Khandaker and Design Works Group Architect Tanzim Hasan Selim.

Besides, one or two student representatives will be inducted in the committee later on, the release added.
The newly formed committee for the July Mass Uprising Memorial Museum is expected to start its work within the week.

Nahid said the memories of oppression experienced in Bangladesh over the past 16 years and the history of students’ movement and their victory will be preserved in the museum.

He, however, said that they are considering to erect a replica of ‘Ayna Ghar’ (Glass House) in the museum that will be set up as a research centre.

Meanwhile, Md Mahfuz Alam said that the agitated people entered the Ganobhaban on August 5 and destroyed the arrogance of the fascist government. In the last 16 years, the Ganabhaban became as a place of sufferings for the common people, he added.

He said that the museum would showcase the symbols of the people’s triumph over fascism and that it will be open not just to the people of Bangladesh but to the world.