Champakkulam Chundan won the Nehru Cup boat race

Alappuzha: Saturday 8th August: In the presence of lakhs of people, ministesrs, central leaders Champakkulam Chundan won the fifty seventh Nehru Cup boat race held at Punnamada Kaayal.Race started from 2 pm here today. The Snake Boat owned by Kollam Jesus boat club had won the Boat Race seven times . The previous years were 1989, 1990, 1991, 1994, 1995, 1996 and 1998.

Champakkulam Chundan beat Payippad Chundan, rowed by UBC Kainakari, which came second in the race. Sree Ganesh Chundan and Cheruthana Chundan were the other finalists. In the women’s final, the Boatwith nine international rowers, finished first.

Earlier, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi inaugurated the race. People from all religion, rowed together with one mind makes the boat race unique-said Sonia Gandhi in her inaugural speech. It is a model for the entire country and also adorable. She also reminds the 1st Nehru Trophy when JawarLalNehru came to watch the race and jumped in to he boat by thrill. Kerala Sports minister M Vijayakumar had said that the boat race will include in the exhibition games play as part of the National Games conducting in 2010. Tourism Minister Kodiyeri Balkrishnan said that the Centre will provide enough fund for the next year's race. A total of 52 boats, including 16 snake boats took part in the competition. The boat race also includes in the 'Incredible India!' campaign of central tourism department.

Union ministers Sasi Tharoor, Kumari Shelja, AICC general secretary Mohsina Kidwai, minister G Sudhaklaran, K P Rajendran, P K Sreemathi, Mullakkara Ratnakaran were also present during the ceremony. They all clap their hands at the end thrilled by the tight competition also the people.

Ten women from UAE competed in the Thekkeodi category along with women from Alappuzha. Actor Kalabhavan Mani lead ‘Karichal Chundan’ lost the game in the first round itself.

The boat race commemorates former Prime Minister Nehru’s visit to Kerala in 1952 when a pageantry of boats accompanied him on his trip from Kottayam to Alappuzha. On returning to Delhi, Nehru donated a silver trophy to the oarsmen. And in the second Saturday of every August the Nehru Trophy hits the Punnamada lake and in the minds of lakhs of people.