Narail:Thousands of people gathered along the Afra River in Shekhati Union under Narail Sadar upazila to witness the National Women's Boat Race today. The event featured 16 boats, all manned by female rowers, drawing spectators from various regions.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the colorful traditional event was organized by the Bangladesh Tourism Corporation. Its aim was to showcase the country's riverine heritage and promote rural tourism among both domestic and foreign visitors.
The competition was inaugurated at 400 pm by Dr. S M Ziauddin Hyder, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister for Health Affairs, who attended as the chief guest. The boat of Mukta Adhikari from Guakhola village secured first place, while Babita Sarkar from Hatiara finished second. Rina Biswas came third, and Champa Goswami of Maliat secured fourth place, with prizes distributed among the winners in the evening.
Residents from Narail, Jashore, Khulna, and surrounding areas lined nearly two kilometers of the riverbanks to enjoy the event, turning the location into a festive gathering. Spectators praised the initiative for promoting women's participation in sports and strengthening women's empowerment while preserving the traditional folk culture of rural Bangladesh.
Bandana Biswas, a visitor from Jashore, remarked on the competition as an excellent initiative to highlight women's talents at the grassroots level and showcase Narail's cultural heritage on national and international stages. Former female Union Parishad member Bharati Biswas also lauded the event, emphasizing its importance in preserving rural traditions and encouraging women's participation in development activities.