Hundreds of thousands of spectators gathered along the banks of the Kaliganga River on Saturday afternoon as the traditional annual boat race transformed the Beutha Ghat area of Manikganj district town into a vibrant festival ground. Organised by the district unit of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), the event drew participants and enthusiasts from across central and northern Bangladesh.
A total of 22 traditional racing boats competed across four distinct categories, representing districts including Kurigram, Tangail, Pabna, and various sub-districts of Manikganj. The fleet comprised distinct traditional vessel designs, including Khella-Goyeeta, Ghasi-Chhipa, Chhandi, and Pansi boats. Adding to the spectacle, two extraordinarily long banana-tree rafts measuring 70 and 80 cubits (hat) also participated in a demonstration showcase.
| Category / Event | Result | Boat Name | Origin / District | Prize Awarded |
| Khella Boat | Champion | Mayer Doa | Roumari, Kurigram | 100cc Motorcycle |
| Khella Boat | Runner-up | Ma-Babar Doa | Nagarpur, Tangail | 16 cft Refrigerator |
| Ghasi Boat | Joint Champion | Baimail Express | Singair, Manikganj | 100cc Motorcycle |
| Ghasi Boat | Joint Champion | Kalam Sikder Express | Singair, Manikganj | 100cc Motorcycle |
| Chhandi Boat | Champion | Gayan Bari | Harirampur, Manikganj | Electric Motorcycle |
| Chhandi Boat | Runner-up | Bhai Bhai Enterprise | Ghior, Manikganj | 16 cft Refrigerator |
| Pansi Boat | Champion | Jagir Janata Express | Manikganj Sadar | Electric Motorcycle |
| Pansi Boat | Runner-up | Azam Brothers | Santhia, Pabna | 16 cft Refrigerator |
| General Entry | Consolation | 5 Participating Boats | Various Regions | 11 cft Refrigerator (Each) |
| General Entry | Participation | 7 Participating Boats | Various Regions | 8 cft Refrigerator (Each) |
| Fancy Dress | Special Award | Individual Entries | Local Participants | TV, Pressure Cooker & Rice Cooker |
The crowd’s primary focal point was the Khella boat Mayer Doa, hailing from Baguarchar village in the Bandaber Union of Roumari, Kurigram. The newly constructed vessel claimed the top prize in the premier category, earning its team a 100cc motorcycle. Ma-Babar Doa from Nagarpur, Tangail, finished as runner-up, securing a 16 cubic-foot refrigerator.
In the Ghasi boat class, Baimail Express and Kalam Sikder Express, both representing Singair in Manikganj, produced a dead heat to share joint-championship honors and a 100cc motorcycle. In the Chhandi division, Gayan Bari from Harirampur took home an electric motorcycle as champions, while Bhai Bhai Enterprise of Ghior finished second. Meanwhile, Manikganj Sadar’s Jagir Janata Express clinched the Pansi category title and an electric motorbike, edging out Pabna’s Azam Brothers.
Five additional participating crews received 11 cubic-foot refrigerators, while seven other boat representatives were awarded 8 cubic-foot models. Special prizes including televisions, pressure cookers, and rice cookers were distributed for the best fancy-dress displays and decorated boats.
The victory marked an extraordinary journey for the crew of Mayer Doa. According to boat director Mojibur Rahman, the team embarked on their voyage on the morning of 30 September from their village in Kurigram. Navigating through the Brahmaputra and connecting river routes, it took three full days of continuous river travel to reach Beutha Ghat in Manikganj. Constructed from premium sal wood over the course of a year at a cost of 600,000 taka, the race was the vessel’s official competitive debut.
The Member of Parliament for Manikganj-3, Minister for Food, and District BNP Convenor Afroza Khanam Rita handed over the prizes as chief guest. Other dignitaries present included Manikganj-1 MP S A Jinnah Kabir, District Commissioner Najmun Ara Sultana, Superintendent of Police Mohammad Sarwar Alam, and Event Committee Convenor Advocate A T M Zaheer Alam Khan Lodi. A lively rural fair along the riverbanks complemented the sporting spectacle, as onlookers lined rooftops, bridges, and embankments to celebrate one of Bengal’s most cherished traditional pastimes.
