Mayor Atiq announces crores of scholarships for slum students

   Mayor Atiq announces crores of scholarships for slum students

Mayor Atiqul Islam has announced a scholarship of one crore rupees for the students living in slums in the area under Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC). He said that this scholarship will be given by DNCC every year to continue the education program of the students living in the slums.

The mayor made this announcement at a policy dialogue on 'Challenges and Solutions of Climate Refugees in Dhaka North' held at the conference room of Nagar Bhavan, the head office of Dhaka North City in Gulshan in the capital on Wednesday. The event was organized in collaboration with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).

On the occasion, Atiqul Islam said, 'A few days ago I visited Karail Basti and Bhashantek Basti. As the mayor of this city, I want to say that no slum will be eviction without rehabilitation.

The mayor also said, 'Now is the time to develop Karail, Bhashantek, Sattala Basti and other slums of Dhaka. In the slums, some are taking space, some are renting. They have to develop according to the plan. There will be fields and parks in the slums, there will be schools.

In the discussion, the mayor of DNCC said, 'This dialogue is organized to highlight the issues of climate refugees at the international level. The problem of climate refugees coming to Dhaka from different districts will be presented to world leaders and mayors at the climate conference. The message to world leaders is—we must provide housing, education, clean air, social security and a healthy environment.'

Referring to the plight of climate refugees, Atiqul Islam said, 'I will put the question to the international forum - who will take responsibility for those affected by cyclones, tidal waves, floods, droughts or river bursts? The developed world must take responsibility for the loss and damage caused by climate change. A database of climate refugees arriving in Dhaka will be created. I request UNDP to work jointly with Dhaka North City in this regard.

Dhaka North City Assistant Urban Planner Farzana Bobby, among others, UNDP Bangladesh Deputy Resident Representative Sonali Dayaratna, British High Commission Climate and Environment Team Leader Alex Harvey, DNCC Chief Executive Officer Salim Reza, Emeritus Professor Nazrul Islam, Entomologist Professor Kabirul Bashar, Architect Salma A Shafi and others were present.