Over 500 students from Dhaka University (DU) are spending Eid in their residential halls, prioritising their academic and career ambitions over family celebrations.
With the 46th BCS written examination scheduled for July 24, this unusual scene breaks away from Dhaka’s typical Eid atmosphere where thousands leave for their hometowns to celebrate.
Eid in Dhaka usually signals a mass exodus, crowded buses, trains, and launches brimming with city dwellers heading home.
But this year, a significant number of DU students are staying back in at least 18 halls, trading festivity for focus. Their goal is singular: success in one of the country’s most competitive exams, the Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS).
Among them is Md Sakib Rahman from Masterda Surja Sen Hall, who shared, “I really want to spend Eid with my parents, but with semester finals coming up, I’ve had to suppress that emotion. Hopefully, one day, this sacrifice will let me give my family even greater joy.”
According to data from Dhaka University, approximately 100 students are staying back at Fazlul Huq Muslim Hall during Eid. Shahod Sergeant Zahurul Huq Hall follows with 58 students, while Sir A. F. Rahman Hall and Kobi Jasimuddin Hall have 60 and 50 students respectively. Ruqayyah Hall accommodates 31 students, and Sheikh Mujib Hall hosts 23. Muktijoddha Ziaur Rahman Hall and Sir Salimullah Muslim Hall each have 17 students remaining. Smaller numbers are reported from Masterda Surja Sen Hall with 12 students, and both Amar Ekushey Hall and Bangamata Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall with 10 students each.
Not all students are staying solely for BCS. Some cite semester finals or academic tests as reasons. Others mention personal or financial challenges.
Shaheen Alam, staying at Zahurul Huq Hall, remarked, “Even though my family is in Dhaka, some financial and personal issues are keeping me away. This will be my first Eid without them. I might try to visit on Eid day if I get the chance.”
Student perspectives reflect not just sacrifice but a sense of purpose. Md Sadekur Rahman Sunny, from the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism, noted, “I always celebrate Eid in the village, and I will again, Insha’Allah. But this time I’m staying for my future. I want to celebrate future Eids with true joy.”
The quiet halls are not without support. University administration and hall authorities are arranging special Eid meals. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall will serve semai, eggs, and khichuri in the morning, followed by polao, chicken roast, beef, and soft drinks at lunch. Sir Salimullah Muslim Hall will provide enhanced meals both in the morning and afternoon, a notable change from past years, where breakfast was often overlooked.
Hall provosts like Dr Akhtaruzzaman and Dr Abdullah Al Mamun emphasised ensuring comfort for the remaining students. Vice Chancellor Dr Niaz Ahmed Khan has also extended a personal Eid invitation to students at his residence.
Beyond the administration, student organisations such as Ganotantrik Chhatra Sangsad, Bangladesh Jatiyotabadi Chattra Dal and Islami Chhatra Shibir are stepping in, arranging Qurbani meals and community dining.
Students remaining on campus view this experience as more than just a compromise. Khondokar Azizul Haque from Jasimuddin Hall said, “This may not be the Eid I imagined, but it’s a new experience. Sometimes, these moments teach us more than comfort does.”
Though many miss the vibrant colours and warmth of home, their resolve remains firm. In the quiet corners of Dhaka University’s halls, these students are crafting a different kind of Eid—one grounded in discipline, hope, and the promise of a better future.
