Traditional boat race held at Dashmina

DASHMINA, PATUAKHALI, Oct 22: A traditional boat race has been held in Dashmina Upazila of Patuakhali on the occasion of Sharadiya Durga Puja. 

As in every year, the competition turned the village of Purba Laxmipur under Dashmina Sadar Union of the upazila into a festive mood on the day of idol immersion.

The competition was held on Wednesday around 1:15pm in the large pond in front of the house of the late Nibaran Chandra Ray in Purba Laxmipur Village. Eight teams from different areas of the upazila participated in it with eight boats.

Visiting the spot, it was seen that the team of Mahabub, a resident of Ward No. 1 of Dashmina Village under Sadar Union, secured the first place in the competition. The team of Hasem Fakir, a resident of Golkhali Village of Ward No. 9 of the same union, secured the second place.

Dashmina Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Mahmud Hasan Mridha was present as the chief guest at the event. The special guests were Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Dashmina Police Station Md Atikul Islam and leaders of the local BNP and Gono Odhikar Parishad.

According to local sources, every year on the day of idol immersion of Sharadiya Durga Puja, a boat race is organised in the pond. Every year, several thousand people from far and wide gather in the area and around the pond to watch this traditional competition.

Dashmina Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Mahmud Hasan Mridha said, "Sharadiya Durga Puja is a unique reflection of our communal harmony and mutual amity. Traditional arrangements like boat races, alongside preserving and nurturing rural culture, further strengthen harmony and bonding among people. Such arrangements play an important role in preserving our folk heritage."