The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority organized a “Nouka Baich” or boat race on Thursday to mark the 76th birthday of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
The race started at 3:50pm on the Turag River. State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury was the chief guest, while lawmaker Haji Md Salim attended the event as a special guest.
With rivers playing a huge role in the lives of the people of Bangladesh, Nouka Baich is an integral part of the country’s rural culture.
Thousands of people from different walks of life and of different ages came to enjoy the BIWTA event.
A teenager named Masud, who came with his friends to enjoy the show, said: “We are enjoying the race a lot.”
“Nouka Baich is a very popular sport. I really love it. This program on the prime minister’s birthday was immensely enjoyable,” said a spectator named Moyna, who was with her little daughter.
There were 12 teams, each named after a river – Buriganga, Shitalakhya, Turag, Dhaleshwari, Ichhamati, Karnaphuli, Surma, Kirtankhola, Arial Kha, Dakatia, Bongshi and Balu – who participated in different segments of the boat race.
The team named after the Karnaphuli River, led by Limon Shikder and Liton Shikder, won the competition and received a motorcycle as the prize. Teams Turag and Ichhamati teams were the runners-up.
The team leaders wished Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina a happy birthday and thanked the organizers of the race.
