Traditional Boat Race Held in Bhanga, Faridpur

Biplab Kumar Das, Staff Reporter. A traditional boat race of rural Bengal was held in the Jhalo Danga Bill of West Algi village in the Algi Union of Bhanga Upazila, Faridpur. On Friday (4 September) afternoon, this boat race was organised with the overall cooperation of Shamim Matbar and the initiative of the youth of West Algi village. People of various ages gathered around the bill to watch the boat race. The chief guest at the event was Shahidul Islam Khan Babul, Member of Parliament for Faridpur-4. Special guests included the president of Bhanga Upazila BNP, Khandakar Iqbal Hossain Selim, general secretary Ayub Mollah, along with leaders of the Upazila BNP and its affiliated organisations. Additionally, local dignitaries, well-wishers, people from various professions, and a large number of visitors from the area enjoyed the boat race. The chief guest, Mr. Shahidul Islam Khan Babul, said that the tradition of rural Bengal, which is on the verge of disappearing, must be preserved and the culture of boat racing must be presented to the new generation. He mentioned that boat racing has not taken place in Bhanga for the last 17 years, and this year, on the occasion of Vishwakarma Puja, efforts will be made to bring back the lost tradition of Bhanga. He assured that whatever needs to be done, they will do it, Inshallah. He invited the thousands of attendees and boat owners to participate in the upcoming boat race on the Kumar River in Bhanga. There was widespread enthusiasm and excitement among the locals surrounding the boat race.