Photo: BSS

 
By Md Mamun Islam

RANGPUR, Sept 6, 2026 (BSS) - The two-day traditional boat racing competition on the river Ghaghot at Hossain Nagar Ghat in Ward 33 of Rangpur city has fascinated and delighted thousands of people coming from all corners of the greater Rangpur region.
 
Crowds have gathered on the riverbanks to watch the boat race wishing the rivers of the country be saved, creating a rhythmic festival with the participation of farmers, boatmen, fishermen, youth, teenagers, students, and the general public.
 
Local youths’ organisation 'Hossain Nagar Jubo Samaj Sangha' is organising the boat racing competition this time like in the previous years to maintain the tradition of rural Bengal and introduce boat races to the new generations.
 
The overall supervision of the two-day Boat Racing Competition-2026 is done by President of 'Hossain Nagar Jubo Samaj Sangha' Azizur Rahman Aziz and its General Secretary Rifat Khan. 
 
Eight teams from Rangpur and adjoining districts are participating in the competition.
 
The teams are ‘Bijli Tufan’, ‘Swadhinatar Bijoy’, ‘Al Medina’, ‘Mayer Doa’, ‘Ghoradaha Ekota’, ‘Mayurpongi’, ‘Hatiyar Bagh’ and ‘Shahparan’.
 
The competition is being held in several rounds with the boats. 
 
Senior convener of Rangpur Metropolitan BNP Shahidul Islam Mizu inaugurated the competition in a function held at Hossain Nagar Ghat of the river Ghaghot on the inaugural day on Saturday afternoon as the chief guest.
 
Mizu said, "Boat racing is the tradition of rural Bengal. We are standing by the organizers to maintain that tradition. People's love and affection for the rivers will increase through boat racing and they will come forward to protect the rivers.” 
 
On the second day today (Sunday), Rangpur Development Authority Chairman and Metropolitan BNP convener Md Samsuzzaman Samu is likely to distribute prizes among the winners as the chief guest after the final racing of the competition this evening.
 
While visiting the Ghagot riverbanks on Saturday and today, this BSS reporter noticed that, in addition to the rhythmic tug of fishermen and boatmen on the riverbank, the riverbanks were filled with the sounds of drums, cymbals, and flutes.
 
Spectators, who did not have the opportunity to watch the boat race while standing on the banks of the river, sit on the branches of trees, sheds and roofs of houses in different villages alongside the riverbanks. 
 
At the last moment this afternoon, the speed and excitement of the teams have created a different kind of frenzy among the spectators. 
 
Talking to BSS at Hossain Nagar Ghat Point today, Munni Akhter, 28, of Shasthichhara village of Pairaband union of Mithapukur upazila of Rangpur district said that she has been coming there to enjoy boat racing every year since 2021.
 
 "Boat racing has been our own culture and tradition for ages. But, most of the rivers have dried up and there is no water in other rivers either. We need to think about the situation of rivers across the country and protect them for our survival," he said.
 
Abdul Hakim, 52, of Baro Paharpur village in Pirganj upazila of Rangpur said, "Boat racing is a tradition in rural areas across Bangladesh. I like it very much. That is why I come to watch boat racing in the river Ghagot every time I live far away." 
 
Nurul Islam, a boatman from Ghoghadaho Union in Sadar Upazila of Kurigram said, “I have not participated in boat racing competitions in different parts of the country. 
 
“This is the first time I have participated in this competition in Rangpur city,” he said and urged the concerned people to organize such competitions every year so that the traditional boat racing competition does not get lost. 
 
President of 'Hossain Nagar Jubo Samaj Sangha' Azizur Rahman Aziz said that this competition is organized locally every year to introduce this ancient culture of riverine Bengal to the new generation and provide healthy entertainment. 
 
“But, initiatives must be taken to save the rivers first across the country. If the rivers are not saved, traditional boat racing will be lost, river-centric traditions, professions, lives and nature will be lost,” he said.