Where Legends Are Born
Photo: Prabir Das
This particular place is more than just a residence. It is a haven for young minds to mingle, to think, to live, to learn. It is a haven where legends are made to lead the country. With a glorious history of 60 years; the Rokeya Hall is the oldest hall for women at the University of Dhaka.
The Rokeya Hall stands near Dhaka University Snacks (DUS), adjacent to Nilkhet Road. According to many, the journey of the female hall of Dhaka University started in 1938 with 12 students which used to be called 'Chameli House'. Afterwards in 1956, a separate 'Women's Hall' was set up for the female students of Dhaka University. Later in 1964, in memory of the legendary feminist writer and social reformer Begum Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain, the hall was renamed as 'Rokeya Hall'.
The garden situated in front of the hall creates an eye-catching and fascinating environment for the students living there. Entering the gate, you would find a library with a large collection of books and guest room on the left. On the right side, there is an office room.
At present, a total of four buildings including one under construction – Shapla, Aparajita, Chameli and 7 March Bhaban are situated there. Though primarily, there were only two— the main building and the Honours Bhaban, another three storey extension of the main building was also set up, known as Aparajita. Later, another building, Chameli, was set up with five floors.
A few years ago, as the Honours Bhaban required a facelift, the authority started constructing an 11 storied building called '7 March Bhaban'.
Inside the hall, students have two separate dining rooms and two study rooms. There is also an arrangement for different activities. They can watch television, read newspapers, magazines and play different indoor games. The historic Rokeya hall has several monuments too. Of them, the statue of legend, Begum Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain is the most significant one.
Rokeya Hall has always been quite vocal when it comes to women leadership, empowerment and overall development. From the back in the past all the way till now, the hall has had many outstanding evidences of bringing out talents and possibilities for the country. Many prominent personalities of the past and present times belong to this hall. Even, Sheikh Hasina, our Honourable Prime Minister, was the secretary of the Bangladesh Chhatro League of Rokeya Hall.
This place also has a valiant history in our liberation war. Archer Blood, the then diplomat general of US embassy in Dhaka, wrote in his book "The Cruel Birth of Bangladesh" that "fire broke out at Rokeya Hall, girls' dormitory and, when the students tried to escape, the military started firing. From the conversation of military control room and army unit 88, a total of 300 students deaths was estimated". Later, a monument was set up in memory of the killed students in front of the Rokeya Hall premises.
Every year, the students of the hall celebrate national occasions and other festivals by organising different events. Apart from these, in order to remember Begum Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain, they celebrate 'Rokeya Dibash' on 9 December, every year where gold medals and scholarships are distributed to the talented students from 'Rokeya Memorial Foundation', a fund that is used for the welfare of the students of Rokeya Hall.
The members of Rokeya Hall Alumni Association also celebrate their reunion with zeal and festivity. The place gets more amazing when the old members get together and share their sweet memories about their living at the hall.
According to the former students of the hall, the life they lead in the hall was really memorable. When cell phones were not available, they used to communicate with their families and friends through card phones and letters. In order to meet them, well-wishers used to pass small notes with the help of other students in the gate and meet with their loved ones.
Rokeya Hall is not only a mere hostel. Rather it is one of the most historically significant places of the country. A number of books written on Rokeya Hall and how it helps to empower women of Bangladesh, confirms just that.
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