Jawahar Thayankari wins Nehru Trophy Boat Race in Kerala 09-08-2015
Alappuzha: In a heated
contest under calm weather, Jawahar Thayankari won the 63rd Nehru Trophy Boat
Race at Punnamada backwaters here on Saturday. With thousands of fans cheering
from both the banks of the lake, Jawahar Thayankari clinched the trophy, which
has been described as the Olympics in the backwaters.
Jawahar Thayankari
captained by Jameskutty emerged winners beating Mahadevikkattil Chundan. Sree
Ganesh came in the third place while St Pius 10th of St Pius 10th boat club
finished fourth.
Earlier, Jawahar
Thayankari beat defending champion Champakkulam Chundan in the fourth heat. Jawahar
Thayankari bagged the Nehru Trophy for the first time in 1977. It emerged
triumphant in 1978, 1985 and 2010 as well.
Union Minister for Road
Transport and Highways Shipping, Nitin Gadkari, and Chinese Ambassador to India
Le Yucheng attended the inaugural function held in the afternoon.
Civil Supplies Minister
Anoop Jacob chaired the meet. Speaker N Sakthan, MPs KC Venugopal, Kodikkunnil
Suresh, Chief Secretary Jiji Thomson were present among others. TM Thomas Isaac
MLA flagged off the mass drill.
Marking the 63rd year
of the race, a total of 63 boats participated in various events.
Lauding the efforts
gone into the boat race set against the enchanting beauty of the backwaters in
Alappuzha, Gadkari said “I’m always positive about Kerala.” The Union Minister
has also assured Kerala of Centre’s help in sanctioning waterways.
Chinese Ambassador Le
Yucheng, who was the special guest at the event, also hailed Alappuzha as one
of the best tourist destinations in the world.
The regatta’s
organisers have seen to it that the event matches its global reputation,
overcoming a money pinch. The regatta named after former Prime Minister
Jawaharlal Nehru has become one of the most celebrated events on the state’s
tourism calendar.
Seats have been
arranged for the special invitees at the Nehru Pavilion near the Finishing
Point at Punnamada. Guests, Nehru Trophy Boat Race Society executive committee
members, municipal councillors and journalists have also find a place there.
Tourists who have bought a golden pass for Rs 2,500 or a silver pass for Rs
1,500 were also allowed in the pavilion. (With inputs from agencies) |