PATACHARKUCHI, Oct 25 - At a time when some of our traditional events are on the verge of extinction, the villagers of Number-2 Medhikuchi under Bajali subdivision of Barpeta district have shown a way by hosting boat races traditionally in Pahumara river on the occasion of Bijaya Dashami every year for over half a century.
Such boat racing has been a tradition of the locality for a long time, but the villagers have been organising it in a systematic manner for the last five decades.
Like yesteryears, this year too, on Friday, it was no different as several thousand people gathered on the banks of Pahumara to witness the attractive annual event.
It started from a specific part of Pahumara river near Medhikuchi, which is popularly known as the �Member Ghat�, as the boats, which were at least 50-foot long and in resplendent colours, vied for supremacy, powered by the rowers, in the mildly flowing waters of the river.
With the kohuwa on both sides of the river playing the perfect backdrop of autumn, the cheering crowd put an extra dimension to the competition. The rowers also provided a lyrical touch to the competition as they sang songs while navigating their boats.
As many as nine teams, namely Jibanjyoti, Tazmahal, Milanjyoti, Assam Bulbul, Nayantara, Shanaz-1, Raijar Ashirbad, Ma Ishnnina and Shanaz-2, took part in this year�s competition that was held in various rounds.
Nayantara bagged the first prize, while Shanaz-2 got the second position in the overall competition. The competitors came from places like Barpeta, Mandia, Kayakuchi, Bhaktardaba, Varadi etc. Dr Kartik Deka flagged off the competition.
The prize distribution was held in the evening. The day also saw immersion of Durga idols in the river.
