A boat race was held in the Buriganga river on Tuesday, marking the 75th birthday of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. State Minister for Youth and Sports Zahid Ahsan Russel inaugurated the boat race -- Nouka Baich, organised by the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) -- at Barishur Launchghat in Keraniganj on Tuesday afternoon. Read:Hasina's 'haseen' birthday gift: Over 66 lakh inoculations in single day A cultural function and a laser show were also held along the riverbank. Eleven teams participated in the boat race from Kamrangirchar Dhora ghat to Jamal School Ghat. Sheikh Bari Sheikh Russel bagged the first prize in the 60-person boat event while Barishal Boating Club secured the first position in 12-person boat event. Addressing the participants, Zahid Ahsan Russel said, “We should be aware of river pollution and river grabbing and we are thinking about how can the boat race can be expanded across the country for saving rivers.” The 75th birthday of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was observed across the country on Tuesday. Read:Sultan Festival ends with boat race in Narail Hasina, the eldest among the five children of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib, was born at Tungipara in Gopalganj on September 28, 1947. The ruling Awami League and its affiliated organisations celebrated the day through various programmes, highlighting her life and achievements. Different programmes, including discussions, doa and milad-mahfil, special prayers and photo exhibitions were organised across the country.