Gaibandha holds traditional boat race ‘Nouka Baich’

A traditional boat race locally known as ‘Nouka Baich’ was held at Kisamat Balua in the Ghagot river adjacent to Bheramara Railway bridge under sadar upazila of Gaibandha district on Saturday.

The race started at 10 am and ended around 5:30 in the afternoon. A total of 14 teams of three upazilas of the district and Dewanganj upazila of Jamalpur district participated in the boat race.

Each team had a leader who stood in the middle of the boat and inspired the participants.

Amid playing of music and drums, thousands people, including a good number of women from the district town, enjoyed the race.

The teams coming from Dewanganj upazila stood first and second and while the team of Sadullapur upazila won the third position in the competition.

Later, a prize distribution ceremony was held on the bank of the river.

Local lawmaker Mahabub Ara Begum Gini distributed the prizes among the winners as the chief guest. Gaibandha Pourasabha Mayor and Zila Krira Sangstha General Secretary Advocate Shah Masud Zahangir Kabir Milon was also present at the event as the special guest.

Speaking on the occasion, Mahabub Ara Begum Gini said the people have lost most of their glorious Bengali heritage, but such initiatives would help us reviving the old-aged traditions, BSS reported.

She thanked the organisers for arranging the boat race competition.