DU English Department alumni reconnect amid laughter and delicacies in TSC's green haven

Once again, the evening unfurled into a tapestry of joy, as old friends gathered under the waning light, weaving tales and laughter into the fabric of time.

The reunion brimmed with the delightful chaos of catching up, exchanging witticisms, and sharing hearty conversations—a true festival of memories at the Teachers-Students Centre, or TSC, of Dhaka University.

Amid the relentless banter, cameras clicked in quick succession, capturing snapshots that are windows to days long past. For former students of the English Department, the chilly Saturday afternoon was warmed by the glow of heartfelt reunions.

The venue thrummed with increasing vibrancy as alumni trickled in from 3pm onwards.

As the evening deepened into night, the verdant grounds of the TSC and its front porch were abuzz with ceaseless chatter and laughter, extending well into the cool night air.

The assembly, orchestrated by the English Department Alumni Society, or EDAS, was a cherished weave of shared histories and renewed ties.

At the grand “EDAS Bash 2024”, guests were greeted warmly. Entering through the TSC's main gate, they collected their registration cards and received gift packages from the organisers at the auditorium entrance. A form ensured their attendance was officially recorded.

Nearby, a display showcased books and magazines published by the English Department over the years, drawing the attention of attendees.

Moving further, rows of tables near the cafeteria were adorned with a delightful spread of local and international delicacies. Guests savoured chitai pitha, reshmi jilapi, patishapta pitha, samosas, sandwiches, fuchka, chotpoti, and bhapa pitha. Many paired these treats with coffee, reminiscing about the good old days with friends.

As always, the vibrant event in TSC's lush green premises offered alumni an escape from the grey routine of life, taking them back to the verdant days of university life.

Among those searching for old friends was former cabinet secretary Mosharraf Hossain Bhuiyan, an English Department alumnus.

"As every year, this event was wonderful. I miss TSC. Reunions like this bring us back to familiar places and familiar faces,” he shared with bdnews24.com.

Professor Dr Nevin Farida of the English Department expressed mixed feelings about the gathering.

"With changing political landscapes and various challenges, I was initially concerned about organising this event. Alhamdulillah, [praise be to God] it went well. But I wouldn’t say it was the best compared with previous years."

"Still, seeing everyone enjoy themselves is heartwarming. In that sense, the event is a success," she added.

However, the absence of some prominent figures was deeply felt.

Emeritus Professor Serajul Islam Choudhury and Professor Niaz Zaman could not attend the event. Reflecting on this, a senior professor lamented: "This year, several senior professors, including Dr Serajul Islam Choudhury, could not join due to health issues."

Chairperson of the department, Professor Zerin Alam, expressed her satisfaction with the event. "We are delighted to honour three of our esteemed teachers today. Everything was organised beautifully, and we are all very pleased," she told bdnews24.com.

Commenting on the cultural performances, she said: "This event is entirely ours. All performances were by our alumni, showcasing our self-sufficiency in every aspect."

Notable attendees included former EDAS President and advisor to a former caretaker Rasheda K Choudhury, and General Secretary and bdnews24.com Editor-in-Chief Toufique Imrose Khalidi.

They warmly exchanged greetings with friends and colleagues, exuding camaraderie and joy.

HONOURING EXCELLENCE

At this year’s EDAS gathering, three distinguished professors were honoured for their exceptional contributions.

Professor Dr Syed Manzoorul Islam, emeritus professor of Dhaka University’s English Department, received special recognition in light of his emeritus status.

Professor Dr Shawkat Hussain and Professor Dr Sadrul Amin were also honoured for their remarkable contributions to the English Department.

Expressing his gratitude, Professor Syed Manzoorul remarked: “Emeritus status is no longer lifelong. My email address with the title ‘professor’ will remain active until 2036, but it will cease earlier if I pass away.”

“However, my name will forever remain a part of the Dhaka University English Department family,” he added.

Professor Dr Md Sadrul Amin expressed joy at being recognised but noted with slight regret that this year’s attendance seemed lower than usual.

Speaking to bdnews24.com, he shared: “I am very happy to be part of today’s event. However, it feels like the crowd is a bit smaller this year. Things change every year, of course.”

NEW EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

The announcement of the new EDAS executive committee was made by Emeritus Professor Dr Fakrul Alam.

The committee will now be led by its newly elected President, former secretary and BNP Chairperson’s Advisory Council member Mohammad Ismail Jabiullah. Professor Dr Tahmina Ahmed from the English Department has been appointed as General Secretary.

The committee also includes several others as vice presidents and joint general secretaries.

Speaking to bdnews24.com, Professor Tahmina said: “Today’s event was wonderfully organised. It’s heartwarming to see everyone enjoying themselves. I wish EDAS continued success and growth.”

JOY OF THE NEWLY GRADUATED

The EDAS gathering concluded with musical performances and cultural festivities following speeches from senior alumni.

While the veterans reminisced, the newly graduated alumni also radiated excitement and enthusiasm. Among the performers was Rafayet Zisan Mazumder, a recent graduate from the 2017–2018 session of the English Department.

Speaking to bdnews24.com, he said: “Every year, this event is so much fun. Many notable personalities join us. I’ve been performing here for a few years, and today was no different—I had a great time!”

Mohayminul Islam, a graduate from the same session, echoed the sentiment.

“Many of our senior alumni and esteemed teachers attend this event. As the youngest alumni, this is a new and enriching experience for us. I thoroughly enjoyed it,” he told bdnews24.com.

Fairooz Fariha, a lecturer at Dhaka University’s English Department and another recent graduate, expressed her joy. “After so long, I got to reconnect with everyone at a place like TSC. It was such a wonderful experience,” she told bdnews24.com.