The Cox’s Bazar Community Alliance, a collective of Cox’s Bazar enthusiasts from home and abroad, held a human chain on Saturday calling for the installation of a timely, eco-friendly, and thought-provoking sculpture at the gateway to Cox’s Bazar.
The demonstration took place at 4 PM at Kalatali Intersection (popularly known as ‘Dolphin Mor’), one of the busiest and most symbolic junctions of the city.
Speakers at the event stated, “Kalatali Mor is not just an intersection; it is the face of Cox’s Bazar. It deserves an artwork that embodies the spirit, environment, and heritage of the city—projecting Bangladesh’s commitment to environmental consciousness and cultural identity to the world.”
Mohibb ul Moqtadir Tanim, an IT specialist speaking on behalf of the alliance, said, “We envision a modern, climate-history-inspired sculpture at Kalatali Mor, preserving its rightful name while delivering a message of biodiversity conservation and environmental responsibility from Bangladesh to the global stage.”
Notably, in 2010, a shark sculpture and fountain were installed at the intersection with support from the district administration and Dhaka Bank. Although it symbolized the maritime heritage of Cox’s Bazar, it became mistakenly known as ‘Dolphin Mor’ due to a lack of public awareness.
Recently, it was reported that a private initiative plans to reconstruct the sculpture. While the Cox’s Bazar Community Alliance welcomes this intention, it believes that under government stewardship, a globally resonant, artistically significant sculpture should be established at this symbolic site. Speakers also urged that the sculpture should not be handled as a leased commercial project.
They cited examples of climate-focused sculptures worldwide and expressed the hope that Cox’s Bazar too would feature a powerful, thought-provoking artwork that inspires reflection, fosters environmental action, and reintroduces Cox’s Bazar to the global stage in a new light.
The alliance called for the involvement of renowned sculptors, architects, and young creatives from universities across the country to ensure that the project becomes a collaborative, future-oriented artistic endeavor.
Speakers at the human chain included Mohibb ul Moqtadir Tanim (IT specialist), M. Suja Uddin (political activist), Sheikh Ashikuzzaman (entrepreneur), and Tajwar Kashem (human rights activist). Representatives of the Cox’s Bazar Community Alliance were also present at the event.
Participants expressed their hope that the gateway to Cox’s Bazar would reflect the vision of a ‘new Cox’s Bazar’—where art will speak the language of the sea, stand as a sentinel for the environment, and resonate as a lasting call to consciousness for future generations.
By Abdu Rashid Manik
Photo: Abdu Rashid Manik
