National Women’s Boat Race Held on Afra River in Narail
A national women’s boat race was held on the Afra River in Shekhati Union of Narail Sadar Upazila. Thousands of men and women from nearby areas gathered to enjoy this popular traditional boat race of rural Bangladesh.
A total of 16 boats took part in the race on Saturday afternoon, November 7. All the boat crews were women.
The Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation organised the event at Guakhola-Mandiya in the Egarokhan area of Shekhati Union in Sadar Upazila. The aim was to show the natural beauty and rich traditions of river-based Bangladesh to local and foreign tourists. The event also aimed to encourage rural tourism.
At 4 pm, Dr SM Ziauddin Haider, the Prime Minister’s Special Assistant for Health Affairs, formally opened the National Women’s Boat Race as the chief guest.
Among those present were Narail-1 Member of Parliament and Narail District BNP President Biswas Jahangir Alam; reserved women’s seat MP Sultana Jesmin Jui; MP Advocate Newaz Halima Arly; MP Mahmuda Habiba; Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation Chairman Mohammad Shamimuzzaman; its Director Mohammad Gani Ul Azam; Narail District Council Administrator and freedom fighter Mostafizur Rahman Alek; Additional District Magistrate (ADM) Lincoln Biswas; and Alokapuri Cultural Centre President Banani Biswas.
In the women’s boat race, Mukta Adhikari’s boat from Guakhola village in Sadar Upazila won first place. Babita Sarkar’s boat from Hatiara came second, Rina Biswas’s boat came third, and Champa Goswami’s boat from Maliat came fourth.
The winners received their prizes in the evening.
