The awakened char in the Padma area of ​​Railway Bazar, Madarpur, Hatpara, Thana Mod, Padma areas of Rajshahi Godagari Upazila has become a meeting place for men and women, students, teenagers, boys and girls, including people of various professions. People are going on vacation to get relief from the intense heat without electricity and take the cool breeze of the Padma. Although the Padma is supposed to be full of youth during the monsoon, the Padma is like a wound due to the effect of the deadly dam Farakka. There is no water, only sand char, people are trying to grow green crops in the awakened char. They have cultivated Chinese, corn, patal, jute, patal, and red clover.

The Padma river has dried up and a huge char has emerged. This new char has now become a new destination for people to enjoy. There is a festive atmosphere along the banks of the Padma from very early morning, afternoon to evening. After crossing the char and going to the river, they board boats and float on the Padma, breathe in the river air, and many are enjoying it with their families. The tide of the Football World Cup has gone to the char that has emerged next to the Padma. Children, teenagers, teachers and people from various professions are divided into two groups wearing the jerseys of different teams including Spain, Brazil, Argentina, Morocco and others. There is no shortage of spectators there. They are enjoying themselves a lot. As the water in the Padma river is rising from upstream, and if it stays there for a long time, these chars will be submerged. The Padma is supposed to be flooded all around, but there is no water due to the effect of the deadly Farakka dam. Now, wherever you look, there is only sand and sand on the char that has emerged on the river bank, sparkling in the sunlight. This is like a mini Cox’s Bazar on the banks of the river. Many people come to the banks of the Padma for happy moments or weekends with their families. Thousands of tourists from different districts of the country come to visit the banks of the Padma for their holidays. People flock to the vast river for pleasure trips on boats. The river is filled with rows of boats of travelers. Weekends mean joy, and people are getting lost in that joy. Nature has become a stage for joy. Sometimes the sky is covered with clouds, sometimes the sun is shining – in the midst of it, there is a wave of celebration. People who are busy with work, men, women and children, all from different parts of the country, have come to be close to the nature of the Padma on weekends. Even in the intense heat, the chars that have emerged in the Padma, Railway Bazar Ghat, Hatpara, and the Padmapar in front of Godagari Model Police Station are an ideal destination for nature lovers. Innumerable people are enjoying the holidays. Especially in front of the Railway Bazar Ghat, a huge char has emerged in the Padma River, with water gushing all around. Hundreds of people have gone to the lake in boats and are rejoicing.

It has been seen on the ground that this vast char of the Padma has created a unique natural scene, which easily captures the heart of any nature lover. Many are calling it ‘mini Cox’s Bazar’. Due to the sandbank of the river and the flowing wind, this place is quickly becoming popular among travelers, and this char of the Padma has become a meeting place for visitors. Last Thursday, people were happily gathered on the banks of the Padma for a few kilometers from Godagari Sadar to Railway Bazar. People came in groups with family and friends. Some bathed in the river, some traveled by boat, and some enjoyed the natural beauty sitting on the sandbank. Amidst the joy, heartbreaking incidents are happening. Last Thursday (July 16) evening, 4 teenagers took a bath in the river after playing. At that time, the other three children with them – Leon (12), Farhad (13) and Siam (12) were rescued alive with the help of locals. A teenager named Fahan (13) was missing. Later, after receiving the news, the fire service’s diving team started a rescue operation. After a long search, the body of the missing Fahan was recovered on Friday morning. Fahan is the son of Shahidul Islam of Kuthipara area and a fifth-grade student of Kuthipara Government Primary School. The incident has cast a shadow of grief over the area. It seems that no one has spoken to console whom.

Alam Sheikh, who came by boat with friends, said, ‘This new char on the Padma has become a new entertainment center for us. We took a bath in the river, took a boat trip – it was a truly amazing feeling!’ Azizul Haque, a seedling seller and ghatak, said, ‘Every day after Asr prayers, I come to the banks of the Padma to escape the heat. I also bring guests when they come.’ I needed a place like this to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The cool environment of the riverbank, the air, and the natural beauty are all really charming. It feels like Cox’s Bazar when you come here.