The Nehru Trophy Boat Race 2017 will
be held today at Punnamada Lake in Kerala. There are 78
different types of boats including 20 snake boats each with a carrying
capacity of about 100 rowers will take part in the 65th edition of the
boat race. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurated the
race in the presence of thousands of viewers from around the world in a
traditional atmospheric event at 2.30 pm. All arrangements have been
already completed for the race, according to officials since a record number of
78 boats will take part in the 65th Nehru trophy boat race.
The boats that clock minimum time in the heats
will take part in the final and losers’ final. The heats of smaller boats
commenced at 11 a.m. with five Iruttukuthi A Grade boats, 25 Iruttukuthi B
Grade boats, nine Veppu A Grade boats, six Veppu B Grade boats, and three
Churulan boats. Women will participate in the Thara and Kettuvallom categories.
From this year
there are 16 snake boats will fight each other for each other for the silver
trophy gifted by the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of
India.This boat race is one of the unique boat race that does not belongs to
any religious believes while all other traditional boat races like Chambakulam
Moolam Boat Race, Aranmula Uthrattadi Boat Race and Payipad Boat Race are
associated with traditional believes. The Nehru Trophy Boat Race is
associated with the visit of Jawaharlal Nehru to Alappuzha in 1952.
From this year a
fool proof mechanized starting system has been put in place by the
infrastructure committee of the Nehru Trophy Boat Race Society which organizes
the race. The new system has been introduced as disputes over starting had
marred the smooth conduct of the event on several occasions in the past. A
digital display system has been set up to ensure accuracy in the
timings. The official telecast of the race
will be done by the national television channel, Doordarshan. There
will be a webcast on http://www.webcast.gov.in/nehrutrophy. Special boat
services will be available to transport spectators from the Nehru pavilion
after the race. The heart of Alappuzha, Kuttanad must be in happy
situation throughout the day of Nehru Trophy.