News Flash
CHITTAGONG UNIVERSITY, April 24, 2026 (BSS) - Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury today inaugurated the country's first 'Saraswati Gyan Mondir' and the first central temple on a university campus at Chittagong University.
The minister formally inaugurated the temple at 10:25 am.
State Minister for Land and Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Barrister Mir Mohammad Helal Uddin addressed the event as special guest.
The inaugural discussion began with a recitation from the Bhagavad Gita. The session was chaired by CU Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Al-Forkan and moderated by Professor Dr. Sajib Kumar Ghosh, General Secretary of the university's Sanatan Dharma Council.
Professor Dr. Anjan Kumar Chowdhury, member secretary of the temple inauguration committee, delivered the welcome address.
Speaking at the event, Mir Helal said the country is progressing after overcoming years of challenges and stressed the importance of unity beyond religious and social divisions.
He expressed optimism that Bangladesh would continue on a path of peace, stability and development under the leadership of the Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.
In his address, Finance Minister Amir Khosru said establishing a temple on a university campus reflects the spirit of unity in diversity, adding that tolerance, stability and humanity are vital for national progress.
He also highlighted the natural beauty of the CU campus, describing it as serene and distinctive, and urged authorities to document its biodiversity and utilise the environment for academic and research advancement.
Calling CU a promising institution, he encouraged its leadership to take initiatives to elevate the university to higher national and global standards, emphasising the need for quality faculty, strong teacher-student engagement and curriculum reform.
University sources said around 3,500 teachers, students and staff of the Sanatan faith are currently at CU. The initiative to build the central temple began in 2011 following a demand from the ‘Sanatan Dharma Council’ and received approval from the university syndicate in 2012.
Built on about 20,000 square feet of land near Gate No. 2 of the north campus, the temple's foundation stone was laid on February 4, 2019, with funding from the Adul-Anita Trust. It is the country's first Saraswati Gyan Mondir.
