In a festive atmosphere and in the presence of thousands of spectators, the legendary boat race of Abhaman Grambangla is going on in Atgharia upazila of Pabna which started from Monday and will continue for 10 days.

Pabna Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Asaduzzaman inaugurated this competition in Chiknai river of Godali village of Atgharia upazila on Monday which organized by Atghoria upazila and Anjan Chowdhury Pintu, managing director of Square Toiletries Limited, was the chief guest.

Every day a large number of people from different areas of Pabna and Sirajganj throng the banks of Chiknai river to watch the boat race.A total of 20 boating teams from Pabna and Sirajganj districts are participating in this year’s competition.

Chairman of Atgharia Upazila Parishad Tanveer Islam, organiser of the boat race, said that the boat race has been organised every year to maintain the tradition of rural Bengal and to introduce the new generation. If everyone’s cooperation is received, this event will continue in the future.

Atgharia municipal mayor Shahidul Islam Ratan presided over the opening ceremony.

Atgharia Upazila chairman Tanveer Islam, Sujanagar upazila chairman Shahinuzzaman Shahin, Pabna municipality former mayor Kamrul Hasan Mintu, Pabna chamber of commerce and industries vice president Ali Murtaza Biswas Soni, prominent businessman Shahadat Hossain and others were also present.

Incidentally, since 1996, the traditional boat race is being organised in Godali village every monsoon. Although there is no water throughout the year, the competition is organised at this time due to the high flow of water in Chiknai river during monsoon.