Traditional Boat Race Held in Chandar Beel, Abhaynagar

Image: Collected

A traditional boat race (noika baich) was held in Chandar Beel at Dhulgram in Abhaynagar upazila, Jessore.

Seventeen dinghy boats from various areas participated in the competition organized on Saturday afternoon. A large crowd of spectators gathered on both banks of the beel (wetland) to watch the event.

The boat race was organized by the Palli Kalyan Samity, a local non-governmental and social welfare organization.

In the competition, the boat of Iman Akunji secured first place, while the boat of Dipankar Sarkar finished second. The event was chaired by A. T. M. Manzur Morshed, former director of Khulna Medical College Hospital. Sheikh Abul Kashem, chairman of Siddhipasha Union Parishad, attended as the chief guest.

S. M. Nazrul Islam, Executive Director of Palli Kalyan Samity, noted that under the influence of modernity, many elements of rural tradition are gradually disappearing. He stated that the boat race was organized to introduce this near-extinct tradition to the new generation.

"At a time when many elements of rural heritage are being lost to modernity, we arranged this event to connect the young generation with this declining tradition," he said.

Chief Guest Sheikh Abul Kashem remarked that initiatives like this can play a vital role in preserving the cultural heritage of rural Bangladesh.

(Image Caption: A large crowd gathered on both banks to watch the traditional boat race held in Chandar Beel, Dhulgram, Abhaynagar Upazila, Jessore.)