Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Monday inaugurated the July Memorial at Osmani Udyan in the capital, accompanied by family members of those killed during the July Mass Uprising of 2024. He also inaugurated the newly modernised park, which has been redeveloped as a green and recreational space for city residents.

The prime minister arrived at the venue at 10 am and formally opened the memorial alongside the families of four uprising victims: Abu Sayed’s father, Md Mokbul Hossain; Mir Mahfuzur Rahman Mugdho’s father, Mostafizur Rahman; Shahariar Khan Anas’s mother, Sanjida Khan Dipti; and Wasim Akram’s father, Mohammad Shafiul Alam.

Following the inauguration, Tarique Rahman planted a sapling on the memorial grounds and watered the newly planted tree.

He later inaugurated the renovated Osmani Udyan, toured the park and visited its newly established library.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Abdul Moyeen Khan, State Minister Mir Shah Alam, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister ABM Abdus Sattar, Dhaka South City Corporation Administrator Abdus Salam and Dhaka North City Corporation Administrator Shafiqul Islam Khan Milton were also present.

The two projects were implemented to preserve the memory of those killed during the July uprising and improve the urban environment of the capital.

July Memorial Features Names of 834 Martyrs

The 90-foot-tall July Memorial has been built to commemorate those killed during the July Mass Uprising of 2024. Covering approximately one acre, the structure features the names of 834 martyrs engraved through laser cutting.

Twenty symbolic tombstones have been installed in front of the memorial.

The structure also features large relief sculptures depicting Bangladesh’s history of political movements and struggles. The outer relief measures 163 feet in length and 4.5 feet in height, while the inner relief stretches 171 feet and stands 7.5 feet tall.

The artwork portrays key moments in the country’s history, including the Language Movement of 1952, the mass uprising of 1969, the Liberation War of 1971, the mass movement of 1990 and the July Mass Uprising of 2024.

Historic Osmani Udyan Gets a Modern Makeover

The 23-acre Osmani Udyan, located between the older and newer parts of Dhaka, has undergone extensive modernisation to transform it into a greener, safer and more contemporary public recreational space.

As part of the redevelopment, the existing water bodies were renovated and five new water bodies were constructed. Existing trees were preserved, while additional trees and landscaped green islands were introduced.

The upgraded park now includes approximately 3.1 kilometres of walking paths, a gymnasium, a pagoda, public toilets, parking facilities and access points along the water bodies.

A rainwater harvesting system with a capacity of 50,000 litres has also been installed.

The park has been designed on two levels, with an elevated fast-moving pathway approximately two metres above the road level.

The redevelopment is intended to improve recreational opportunities for residents while preserving the park’s greenery and historical significance.