The Nehru Trophy Boat Race
The Nehru Trophy Boat Race in the Punnamada lake, Alappuzha, Kerala held on Saturday, August 9, 2008, is the most competitive and popular of the boat races in Kerala. During this festive event, all people regardless of religion and wealth come together to celebrate life’s unlimited joyswith songs, dance and merriment.Amrita TV’s exclusive satellite telecast brought to you live to millions of homes, will be your window to big – spending audiences. Yes, through the channel that is closest to the Malayali’s heart. Amrita TV invites you to reap rich returns from your advertising rupee, and celebrate the magnificent spirit of the Nehru Trophy Boat Race – the mother of all boat race competitions.
The history of the Nehru Trophy Boat Race is associated with the visit of late Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the then Prime Minister of India to Alappuzha. He chanced a trip from Kottayam to Alappuzha by boat, through water logged Kuttanad. A pageantry of boats accompanied him on the trip.The first race was an impromptu one conducted in 1952 in honour of Panditji who visited Alappuzha.In that race of snake boats, Nadubhagam Chundan stood first. Panditji, who was thrilled and excited in the performance of the oarsmen, jumped into the Nadubhagam Chundan, forgetting all security arrangements.The boat proceeded to the boat jetty carrying the Prime Minister.On his return to Delhi in December 1952, Nehru donated a Silver Trophy, which is a replica of a snake boat placed on a wooden abacus.The trophy bears the following inscription above his signature. “To the winners of the boat race which is a unique feature of community life in Travancore Cochin.” This trophy later came to be known as Nehru Trophy, and in fond memory of great Panditiji, the people of Alappuzha celebrate the Nehru Trophy Boat Race every year.
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