The Nehru Trophy boat race occupies pride of place among the boat races in Kerala. The event, scheduled for August 12, is entering its 65th year this time. Elaborate arrangements are being made for the conduct of the race by the Nehru Trophy Boat Race Committee headed by District Collector Veena N. Madhavan.
The historic race had its beginning in 1952 when Jawaharlal Nehru, the country’s first Prime Minister, visited Alappuzha.
An impromptu snakeboat race was organised in honour of the Prime Minister who came to Alappuzha from Kottayam by boat. Nadubhagom chundan came first in the race.
The presence of the Prime Minister enthused the rowers as well as spectators. ‘Panditji’ was excited at the sight of the unique race and jumped into the chundan when it came near the podium set up on the banks of the waterbody, disregarding the security cover. The chundan went ahead with the Prime Minister aboard, to the boat jetty.
On his return to New Delhi, he donated a silver trophy, a replica of a snakeboat.
The trophy came to be known as Nehru Trophy, giving the race its title. The trophy bears the inscription ‘To the winners of the boat race which is a unique feature of community life in Travancore Cochin’, along with his signature.
Wide participation
Over the years, the race has got wider participation of boats as well as people. The district administration takes keen interest in the conduct of the race, which has become one of the main events of the district, attracting tourists, both domestic and foreign, in large numbers. The run-up to the race is marked by a host of events such as photo exhibitions, cultural parades, painting contests and competitions in ‘vanchipattu’.
But, says T.G. Raghu, chairman of a district-level tourism operators’ cooperative, there needs much more effort to take the race to the masses.
“The race has little connect with the masses now. Regional boat clubs should be promoted instead of allowing sponsors to take over the show. A festive atmosphere needs to be created in towns in coordination with the traders. The shops should be decorated. The administration would do well to convene a meeting of traders to seek their cooperation”, Mr. Reghu said.
He suggested the setting up of a permanent office with staff for the race organising committee to coordinate the race.
The different committees set up by the organisers of the Nehru trophy boat race do not have representatives of houseboats or tourism operators, according to him. Alleging that the committees are flooded with political nominees, he said the District Tourism Promotion Council, which could take up initiatives to improve the conduct of the race, has been remaining without a secretary for months now.