According to university sources, about a thousand students stay in the dormitories during the vacation. The largest number of students are in Fazlul Haque Muslim Hall, Dr. Muhammad Shahidullah Hall, Bijoy Ekattor Hall, Haji Muhammad Mohsin Hall, Master Da Surja Sen Hall, Ruqayyah Hall, and other women’s halls. The university has allocated a budget of BDT 350 to 450 per student for those staying in the dorms. The food varies between the halls, but breakfast typically includes lachcha semai, firni, sweets, paratha, bhuna khichuri, or eggs.

Lunch includes pulao, biryani, tehari, or khichuri, with chicken roast, beef, or mutton, along with soft drinks or yogurt.

Professor Dr. Abdullah-Al-Mamun, the provost of Salimullah Muslim Hall and convener of the Provost Standing Committee, said this arrangement is to maintain tradition and share the joy of Eid with the students. He told Bonik Barta, “We have many students who do not go home. Some have exams, others stay for part-time jobs. Dhaka University has always shared Eid celebrations with these students. It has become a part of our tradition.”

He also stated that organizing this event is the responsibility of the university administration.

When asked about the difference in this year’s arrangements, Professor Dr. Abdullah-Al-Mamun said, “This year, we decided to improve the food quality. According to a decision made in last week’s Provost Standing Committee meeting, we are providing two meals for Eid this time. In previous years, only breakfast was served, but this year, along with breakfast, lunch will also be provided.”

Meanwhile, Dhaka University will organize an Eid procession on campus for Eid-ul-Fitr. The procession will start at 8 am on Eid day, after the first Eid prayer at the central mosque, Masjidul Jamia. The procession will pass through the Teacher-Student Center (TSC) and end at the Smriti Chirantan Square. University teachers, students, and staff, led by Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Niaz Ahmed Khan, will participate in the procession.

This procession is being organized for the first time to bring diversity to the Eid celebrations, said Dhaka University’s Pro-Vice-Chancellor (administration), Sayema Haque Bidisha. She told Banik Barta, “We celebrate Eid in various ways with family, friends, and colleagues. To celebrate Eid freshly, the university has taken the initiative to organize an Eid rally. This is an effort to share the joy of Eid with the university community.”

She also clarified that this initiative was not taken for any special reason. “Eid is a celebration, a joyful occasion. The idea of the Eid rally was introduced to make the celebration more colorful and add a new dimension. It is a new addition to make Eid even more joyful.”

According to DU’s academic calendar, all activities will remain closed until April 5. Therefore, the campus will become lively again on April 6, when the students return from the holiday.

Ashikur Rahman Rafi, a resident student of Haji Muhammad Mohsin Hall, said, “People return home to celebrate Eid with their families. But I don’t have the opportunity to go home. Now, celebrating Eid in the dormitory feels good. The hall has become my family.”

Sunny Sarkar, a Sir AF Rahman Hall student, said, “Eid means joy, and it feels different when celebrated with family. For some personal reasons, I won’t be celebrating Eid with my family at home this year. Many of us in the hall will celebrate Eid here.”