A traditional boat race featuring 16 women’s teams was held on the Kajla River in Narail on Saturday, drawing large crowds and creating a festive atmosphere along both banks.

The spectators were thrilled by the rhythmic rowing and spirited performances of the women participants in the unusual competition.

The race began at around 3:30pm in the Egarokhan area of Shekhati Union under Narail Sadar upazila.

SM Ziauddin Haider, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Health Affairs inaugurated the event.

The competition was organised as part of the two-day ‘National Women’s Boat Race, Cultural Festival and Free Health Camp-2026’, arranged by Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation and implemented by Alokapuri Cultural Centre.

Among those present at the inaugural ceremony were Narail-1 lawmaker Biswas Jahangir Alam, Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation Chairman Md Shamimuzzaman, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Deputy Secretary) Lincoln Biswas, the corporation’s Director Md Ganiul Azam, Civil Surgeon Dr Abdur Rashid and Additional Superintendent of Police Nur-e-Alam Siddiqui.

The organisers said the event aimed to showcase Narail’s history, heritage, culture and tourism potential to domestic and international visitors.

It also sought to preserve folk traditions, promote women’s participation and empowerment, and expand access to healthcare services for rural communities.

The two-day festival was formally inaugurated on Friday morning at the grounds of Guakhola Secondary School in the same area by Narail-1 lawmaker Biswas Jahangir Alam.

More than 500 people received free medical services on the opening day, the organisers said.

The organisers and local stakeholders hope the initiative will help promote tourism, preserve rural cultural traditions and create greater opportunities for women to participate in social and cultural activities.