Dhaka South City Corporation held a traditional boat race on the Buriganga River on Friday, 21 August, as part of its month-long “Hridoye Dhaka 416” festival marking 416 years of Dhaka as a capital. Six teams from different parts of the country raced from Kholamora Ghat to Wise Ghat. A prize-giving ceremony was later held aboard the century-old traditional steamer PS Mahmud, anchored at Sadarghat.

Thousands of spectators gathered along both riverbanks from midday, while hundreds more arrived with families on boats and trawlers. Road Transport and Highways Division, Shipping Ministry and Railways Minister Sheikh Rabiul Alam said the government was working to free surrounding rivers from encroachment and pollution and ensure safe, uninterrupted navigation. He praised the city corporation’s effort to revive Bengali heritage for younger generations.

The team of Dhaka-7 lawmaker Hamidur Rahman Hamid won first prize, followed by former ward commissioner Mosharraf Hossain Khokon’s team and Madaripur’s Anisur Rahman’s team. DSCC Administrator Md Abdus Salam said the festival also includes a mini marathon, cycle rally, theatre festival and film festival.