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The Bangabhaban, the Presidential palace, will open to visitors on a limited scale and to this end, various development activities are being implemented there as per the wish of President M Abdul Hamid.
"People usually can't go inside the Bangabhaban . . . Nobody knows what's inside, it's in darkness," Abdul Hamid told media after inaugurating the renovated Air Raid Shelter and Bangabhaban Toshakhana Museum at Bangabhaban in the afternoon.
"People will also know the history and tradition of the Bangabhaban as well as the countrymen," he said.
President Hamid inaugurated the newly constructed Toshakhana Museum. He visited the installations in different rooms there.
Mentioning the Bangabhaban Toshakhana Museum as one of the monuments of centuries of colourful history and tradition of the Bengalis, he, "I believe, the Bangabhaban Toshakhana Museum will play an important role in preserving the rich history of Bangabhaban and presenting it to the future generations."
Abdul Hamid said the foreign envoys or ambassadors and visitors would be able to get acquainted with the country's history, heritage and culture during their visit, reports BSS.
The people will also get attracted to visiting many installations of Bangabhaban and subsequently, their attitude towards Bangladesh would be very positive as well as high, he added.
Bangabhaban was once called 'Manuk House'. After that, it was regarded as the ‘Governor House’.
A unique combination of Victorian architecture with Islamic and Bengali architecture, this building is now the office and residence of the President of the Republic.
Various activities are being implemented, including the modernization of Toshakhana and Air Raid Shelter House and the construction of a walkway, to open the Bangabhaban to local and foreign visitors on a limited scale.
Under the overall supervision of Bangabhaban, this dilapidated Toshakhana was renovated into a museum with a modern look.
The Toshakhana houses are decorated with gifts from different heads of state and governments of different countries and historic photographs.
Apart from the opening for domestic and foreign visitors on a limited basis, initiatives have been taken so that anyone can visit the Toshakhana online from any part of the world and learn about Bangabhaban.
Due to lack of use, this abandoned shelter built in 1965 was taken as a historical monument for visitors coming to Bangabhaban.
The Air Raid Shelter House has been renovated in its original shape.
Besides, the modern landscaped Bangabhaban has beautiful green gardens, Dumba Shed, Deer Park, four nicely arranged ponds and a swimming pool are many places to visit.
President's wife Rashida Khanam, State Minister for Cultural Affairs KM Khalid, State Minister for Housing and Public Works Sharif Ahmed, State Minister for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Division Zunaid Ahmed Palak, MP, Rezwan Ahammad Taufiq, MP, secretaries concerned and high civil and military officers accompanied the President.
Bd-pratidin English/Golam Rosul
