Traditional boat race held in Salta, Faridpur.

Biplob Kumar Das, Staff Reporter. In Salta, Faridpur, a boat race competition and fair were held, nurturing the timeless tradition of rural Bengal. On Friday (28 August) afternoon, the festival was organised by the villagers of Khoar at the Aashar bill adjacent to the Banyan tree in Khoar village. The rhythm of the oars, the rowers' hey-hey tunes, and the applause of thousands of spectators filled both banks of the entire bill. Various decorated large boats from distant places descended into the bill for this traditional boat race. People of all ages flocked from nearby villages and different parts of the country to watch the competition. The entire area turned into a grand gathering with the lively presence of children, teenagers, women, and men. Alongside the boat race, a bustling rural fair was set up beside the bill. The atmosphere of the festival spread with the footsteps of thousands of people at the fair. Traders displayed wooden toys, clay items, bangles, ribbons, and a variety of delicious rural foods. The enthusiasm of the competitors and the spectators created a vibrant atmosphere. After the thrilling battles of the competing teams, the winners were awarded prizes by the guests at night. The chief guest at the concluding ceremony and prize distribution was the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) of Salta, Dabir Uddin. Special guests who spoke at the event included the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Salta Police Station, Md. Bablu Rahman Khan, former president of the Upazila BNP Siddiqur Rahman Talukdar, senior teacher of District School Md. Zahid Hossain, former joint general secretary of Upazila BNP Khandakar Khairul Basar Azad, Md. Shahinur Rahman Shahin, and Kamrul Islam. Also present were local BNP president of Ward 5 of Atghor Union Md. Muradur Rahman, Upazila Jubo Dal leader Safiqul Islam, Mahfuzur Rahman Khan, Md. Jasim Molla, local personalities Samad Matubbar and Anichur Rahman (Member), along with notable figures from the area, local representatives, and representatives of social and cultural organisations. The splashing sound of the oars and the lively slogans on that day provided a new source of joy for the youth and elders of the area through this familiar rural cultural event.