Alappuzha: In an atmosphere filled with excitement, members of the Pallathuruthy Boat Club (PBC) won the 69th edition of the Nehru Trophy Boat Race (NTBR) held on Punnamada Lake here on Saturday. Its fourth straight win of the club. The club earlier claimed the coveted trophy in the years 2018, 2019, and 2022. It may be noted that 2020 and 2021 seasons were dropped due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The members rowed on the boat Veeyapuram Chundan. PBC finished the race in 4 minutes and 18 seconds. 

More than 70 boats participated in the historic race for the trophy named after the first Prime Minister of India. United Boat Club (UBC) Kainakari, Kumarakom Boat Club, and Kerala Police Boat Club are the others who made it into the finals.

Hundreds of spectators, including foreigners, crowded the banks of the lake to catch a glimpse of the thrilling race, considered to be one of the biggest water-sport events in the country.

Though Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan was scheduled to inaugurate the annual event, which is held on the second Saturday of August every year, he was unable to attend it as his chopper could not land in Punnamada due to bad weather.

In his absence, Cultural Affairs Minister Saji Cheriyan inaugurated the event.

Later in a Facebook post, Vijayan congratulated all the participants, winners, and organisers of the Nehru Trophy boat race.

The spectacle has marked Kerala's position in front of the world, he said.

The story behind this water regatta getting its name goes back to the visit of Nehru in 1952. He was so enchanted by the sight of the majestic snake boats that he leaped onto one of the snake boats himself, ignoring his security cover. Later on in the year, he donated a silver trophy in the form of a snake boat as a gift for the memories of the time he spent there. The race went on to be named the Nehru Trophy Boat Race.

With PTI inputs