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Saturday | October 10, 2026 | Dhaka

Sports, culture can keep youth away from drugs: DC

 Madhukhali Correspondent
 Published: 12:01 AM, 09 October 2026  Updated: 11:05 PM, 08 October 2026
Participants compete in a traditional boat race on the Madhumati-Gorai River at Kamarkhali in Madhukhali Upazila of Faridpur on Wednesday.

Faridpur Deputy Commissioner Md Mazharul Islam on Wednesday said young people should be kept away from drugs by engaging them in sports and cultural activities.

He said drug abuse leads individuals, families and society towards ruin, urging everyone to come forward and build a drug-free society by creating social resistance against drug abuse.

A boat race was held on the Madhumati-Gorai River at Kamarkhali in Madhukhali Upazila of Faridpur on Wednesday under the theme “Say No to Drugs, Build a Drug-Free Society”.

An anti-drug concert was held at Kamarkhali Bazar later in the evening. Mazharul Islam emphasised that families, educational institutions, the administration, law enforcement agencies and people from all walks of life must work together to protect the younger generation from the devastating effects of drugs.

The traditional rural boat race began at 5pm organised by the Madhukhali Upazila administration, with the course spanning the Madhumati and Gorai rivers. Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Masudur Rahman presided over the event, which was moderated by Upazila Secondary Education Officer Md Abdul Awal Akon. Assistant Commissioner (Land) Pratik Datta supervised the event.

Faridpur Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate Md Mazharul Islam attended the event as the chief guest. Special guests included Faridpur Superintendent of Police Shahriar Mohammad Miyaji, Madhukhali Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Sukdeb Roy, Upazila BNP President Shahabuddin Ahmed Satej, General Secretary Abdul Alim Manik, Municipal BNP President Muhammad Haider Ali Molla and General Secretary Md Yasin Biswas, among others.

Heads of various Upazila administration departments, chairmen and members of different union parishads in Madhukhali Upazila, and local dignitaries were also present.

Thousands of spectators, including men and women, gathered from Faridpur and neighbouring districts to enjoy the traditional boat race.

A total of 11 boats from Faridpur and neighbouring districts participated in the competition. The event took place in a festive atmosphere, with large crowds lining both banks of the Madhumati-Gorai River. Prizes were distributed among the winners at the end of the race.

Superintendent of Police Shahriar Mohammad Miyaji highlighted the authorities’ firm stance against drugs and urged young people to stay away from drug abuse.

Following the boat race, an anti-drug concert was held at Kamarkhali Bazar, continuing until 10pm. National-level singer Akash Mahmud performed at the concert, creating a festive atmosphere among the audience.