A swimmer named Bakul Siddiqui (45) won a prize of one lakh taka by swimming in the river for 13 hours. He started swimming from Konabari ghat in Homna, Comilla, Meghna river at 4:30 am today, passed through Nabinagar in Brahmanbaria and reached Sheikh Hasina bridge in Nagriakandi area of ​​Narsingdi city at 5:30 pm.
After reaching Narsingdi after swimming this long river, Bakul Siddiqui was welcomed with flowers, crests and garlands of money. Swimmer Bakul Siddiqui is a pediatrician by profession. He is the son of Siddikur Rahman of village Khodadilla of Alokbali Union of Narsingdi Sadar Upazila. Earlier, he participated in various swimming competitions in the district and outside the district and won.

Talking to Bakul Siddiqui and some residents of the area, it is known that the distance from Konabari Ghat in Homna to Sheikh Hasina Bridge in Nagriakandi area of ​​Narsingdi city via Nabinagar in Brahmanbaria is about 200 km. However, according to BIWTA sources, the distance from Konabari Ghat in Homna to Sheikh Hasina Bridge in Nagriakandi area of ​​Narsingdi town via Nabinagar in Brahmanbaria is about 150 km.

Bakul’s family members and local people said that Bakul Siddiqui has been swimming more or less since childhood. However, he got addicted to becoming a swimmer in 1995. At that time he swam from the border of Thailand to Malaysia. The swim was about 18 kilometers by sea. Since then he has been involved in swimming regularly. He did not have to face any major problem while swimming. Earlier also he won a prize of one lakh taka as the winner of a swimming competition.

Bakul Siddiqui will swim from Homana to Narsingdi today, as it was announced in advance, hundreds of people were waiting to welcome him. Apart from this, many people followed him in trawlers and speedboats from Homna. The entire time 10 volunteers followed him in a spitboat to ensure his safety. As soon as he reached the Sheikh Hasina bridge area of ​​Narsingdi city, a festive atmosphere was created. The waiting people welcomed Bakul with applause.