Marking the New Year, Jhenaidah Zila Parishad (District Council) organized lathikhela at local Wazir Ali High School and college ground on Sunday. Thousands of people both from rural and urban areas enjoyed the traditional lathikhela (play with bamboo made sticks) since the morning.
Abdur Rahim of Nagarbatha village and Amin Uddin of Balabaria in Jhenaidah Upazila said they sometimes had been enjoying the traditional lathaikhela was almost decaying when the children were leaning towards mobile games and otherwise.
Lalita Saha and Manika Khatun of Adarshapara in Jhenaidah town said they were enjoying the lathikhela for the first time. T hey were really impressed to enjoy the game in the middle of the town. They had thanked the organizers Jhenaidah Zila Parishad.
Bangladesh Lathaial Bahini, an organization of the stick players in Jhenaidah, also ex chairman of Jhenaidah municipality Anisur Rahman Khoka when contacted said they have been working to make the lathikhela popular among the people of both rural and urban areas, especially, the next generation. If anyone is trained with a stick, he or she might be able to protest itself from any attack of miscreants or attackers with a simple stick.
Jhenaidah District Council Chairman M Harun Or Rashid when contacted said lathikhela and some other traditional games give pure enjoyment to the people and keeps anyone away from any evil doings. To make the children busy with something good abide their education, they will organize lathikhela and other traditional games both in rural and urban areas, M Harun or Rashid said.