Alappuzha: The mascot of the 69th Nehru Trophy Boat Race (NTBR) to be held on August 12 was unveiled. 

A cute elephant calf rowing through the waters on a boat is this year’s mascot. The oar carried by the elephant has text NTBR 69.

In a function held at the collectorate conference hall,  MLA Thomas K Thomas and cine-serial actress Gayathri Arun unveiled the mascot by handing it over to district collector Haritha V Kumar who is also the chairperson of the NTBR society.

Actor Gayathri Arun who got nostalgic during the function shared her childhood memories of the boat race. 

The lucky mascot for the year was designed by artist Devaprakash who hails from Idukki district. He will receive prize money of Rs 5,001 for his effort. 

The ‘mascot’ was selected from 250 entries in a state-wide competition held by the Nehru Trophy publicity committee. A jury comprising artists Satheesh Vazhavelil, Cyril Dominic, and T Baby selected the winner.  

Municipal councillor Simi Shafikhan, and sub-collector Suraj Shaji who is also the NTBR society secretary,  were among the other dignitaries present at the function.