On Friday afternoon the traditional 8th annual boat race in Khulna, popularly known as ‘Nouka Baich’ competition-2013 will be held in the Rupsha River which flows by the east side of divisional city. The competition has been going on for the last eight years. Khulna Nagar Samajik o Sangskritic Kendra (NSSK) will arrange the competition to promote our Bengali culture and heritage. The race will be sponsored by popular telecom company Banglalink. Twenty-two (22) boats from Khulna, Satkhira, Narail and Magura districts will take part in the three phase competition said over cell phone general secretary of NSSK Moniruzzaman Rahim. The competition will start at 2pm from Custom Ghat point (Kheya ghat) and end at Khanjahan Ali Bridge (Rupsha Bridge) point, he added.
In this regard, there was at a preparatory meeting held at the conference room of Khulna Circuit House on Thursday. Deputy Commissioner of Khulna Md Mezbah Uddin presided over the function.
Additional Divisional Commissioner (general) of Khulna Mohammad Gayus, Superintendent of Police, Khulna Golam Rouf Khan, President of Greater Khulna Development Action Coordination Committee (GKDACC), a committee floated by local people of Khulna region Sheikh Ashraf-uz-Zaman, Banglalink Khulna regional head Md Babul Haque, Khulna Nagar Samajik o Sangskritic Kendra (NSSK) adviser Sheikh Abdul Mannan, president Mollah Maruf Rashid, vice-president Al-Zamal Bhuiyan, Akhter Uddin Pannu and Golam Rabbani Bhuiyan, general secretary Moniruzzaman Rahim were present and addressed the meeting.
Rivers form an integral part of Bangladesh’s history, tradition, literature, culture and sports. Boat race is an important element of folk culture. To encourage boat racing nationwide, Bangladesh Rowing Federation was formed in 1974. Among the many locally organised boat races, Khulna Boat Race is often considered as one of the biggest events of this kind.
Mayor of Khulna City Corporation (KCC) Md Moniruzzaman is expected to inaugurate the boat race as chief guest at Custom Ghat point at 2pm.
Lawmaker of Khulna-2 constituency Nazrul Islam Monju will distribute prizes among the winners at the west bank of Rupsha Bridge point after a discussion meeting at evening on the same day, organisers said. Khulna Divisional Commissioner Md Abdul Jalil, Khulna Metropolitan Police (KMP) Commissioner Md Shafiqur Rahman, Administrator of Khulna Zila Parishad Sheikh Harunur Rashid and Additional Chief Engineer of Roads and Highways Department, Khulna Quazi Mohammad Ali will present as special guests.
-With The Independent input
