A traditional boat race was held in the Modhumati river at Tungipara upazila in Gopalganj district on Saturday afternoon.
A total of 40 boats from Gopalganj, Madaripur, Pirojpur, Narail and Barisal districts participated in the race. 50 to 60 sailors were seen in each boat. Among them, a boat of women created additional attraction.
Thousands of people including women and children flocked to the banks of the river to see the boat race. Many spectators appeared with engine driven boats decorated in different colors.
At the beginning of the competition, several boats are lowered into the river to the beat of drums. The boatmen participated wearing colorful clothes including red, blue and yellow. At that time, millions of spectators on both sides of the river encouraged them with slogans and applause.
The race was held in several rounds covering an area of about one kilometer from Patgati Bridge.
Tungipara Upazila Awami League president Sheikh Abul Basar presided over the event where Awami League advisory council member Kazi Akram Uddin Ahmed, Sheikh Helal Uddin MP, Sheikh Salahuddin Jewel MP, Sheikh Sarhan Nasser Tanmoy MP and central Awami League organizing secretary SM Kamal Hossain were present, among others.
