A two-day traditional Gram-Bangla boat race has started on the Jamuna river in Tangail's Bhuyapur upazila.
The race started on Tuesday (September 19) afternoon in the Jamuna river located in the north-west of Gobindasi cow market in Gobindasi union of the upazila. The final of this competition will be held on Wednesday.
The two banks of the Jamuna are thronged by thousands of people who are thirsty for entertainment from noon to see the traditional boats. Thousands of people of different ages including old people and children from different areas of the district came to see the boat race. Some people rent small or big boats and stay with their families in different parts of the river. Festive mood was blowing in Govindasi area of Jamuna river with colorful boats, musical instruments. With the arrival of thousands of people who came to watch the competition, the banks of the Jamuna turned into a meeting place.
Tangail-2 Constituency Member of Parliament Tanveer Hasan Chhota Monir was present as the chief guest on the occasion.
Upazila Nirbahi Officer Belal Hossain, Upazila Parishad Chairman Nargis Begum, Vice Chairman Monirul Islam Babu, District Chhatra League President Sohanur Rahman Sohan and others were present under the chairmanship of organizing committee convener and chairman of Gobindasi Union Parishad Dulal Chokdar.
Fazal Sheikh (70), who came to watch the boat race, told Barta 24 that the boat race is now disappearing in rural Bengal. Now the boat race is not seen as before. So I came here to see the boats from Chauhali in Sirajganj district to enjoy a little pleasure. Very nice to come here.
Class IV student Dula Akhter told Barta 24, "I have come to see the boats." It was very nice to see the boats. I appeal to the authorities to organize this competition in the future.
Tangail-2 Constituency Member of Parliament Tanveer Hasan Chhota Monir told Barta 24 that this has been organized to preserve the tradition of rural Bengal and to bring happiness to the people of the affected areas of Jamuna. This boat race will continue in the future.
15 boats participated in the competition on the first day.