Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is all set to attend the"Hridoye Dhaka 416" festival marking Dhaka's 416th anniversary and "Dhaka Day" at Lalbagh Fort at 4pm on 29 August, Dhaka South City Corporation Administrator Bir Muktijoddha Md Abdus Salam confirmed the matter to the media during a press meet at Nagar Bhaban recently. 

The program will include children's dance performances, an exhibition of young scientists' innovations, an exhibition of books on Dhaka, and various stalls featuring traditional food from old Dhaka. The Prime Minister will plant a tree there and visit Lalbagh Fort.

The program will feature various types of decorated flags and festoons. Balloons and pigeons will also be released.

The City Corporation has planned various programs for a month to highlight the history, heritage and culture of Dhaka.

Recently ‘Dhaka Heritage Cycle Rally’ was held on August 14. The rally was held on Friday morning as part of the month-long 'Hridoye Dhaka 416' festival.

The rally started from the historic Dhaka Gate at 7 am. State Minister for Road Transport and Highways and Railways Habibur Rashid Habib inaugurated the rally. Member of Parliament for Dhaka-7 constituency Hamidur Rahman was the special guest.Dhaka South City Corporation Administrator Bir Muktijoddha Md Abdus Salam presided over the event.

Talking about the history of Dhaka, Abdus Salam said that Dhaka's journey began in 1610 as the capital of Subah Bangla.

He said, 'The journey of modern municipal administration began with the establishment of Dhaka Municipality on August 1, 1864. Later, this institution took the form of the present Dhaka South City Corporation.'

He said that this is why August 1 has been designated as 'Dhaka Day'.

Meanwhile, on the occasion of Dhaka's 416th anniversary, the 'Heritage Run' was held on Saturday. The competition started from Shapla Chattar in Motijheel on Saturday morning and ended at Wiseghat in Old Dhaka. 

The historic 'Dhaka Heritage Run' was held to showcase the history, heritage and culture of Dhaka among the citizens.

More than 1,000 citizens participated in this run, where State Minister for Youth and Sports Aminul Haque inaugurated the event as the chief guest.

Each participant was awarded medals and certificates by DSCC.

The ongoing theater festival will run till August 22, while the traditional boat races and traditional boat trips will be held on August 21.

Other programs include an old film exhibition on August 22. In addition, 'The Great Dhaka Sail' and 'Love Letter to Dhaka' programs will be held from August 21 to 30. Various old programs centered on Old Dhaka will be broadcast on Bangladesh Television from August 23 to 29.

A helicopter program titled 'Pakhir Chhek Hridoye Dhaka' will be held on August 24. After that, a traditional procession will be held on August 28.

A kite festival, 'Dhaka Adda' and cultural programs will be organised at Lalbagh Fort on August 30. An art camp and a prize distribution ceremony for a painting competition will be held on September 1.

The festival will conclude with a 'Panchayeti Adda' at Alamganj Jetty on September 5.