Boat races of Kerala blend the best of the cultural sporting and secular traditions of the state, Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar said on Saturday.

Inaugurating the 60th Nehru Trophy Boat Race at Punnamada Lake here, Meira Kumar said the boat races not only blended the sporting and cultural traditions but reflected the sense of “oneness” among the village community.

Recalling the visit of India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru to the Central Travancore area which paved the way for the event, she said the boat race was spectacular and “world class event” which had the participation of people from different strata of society.

“I commend the people of Kerala for preserving the zeal of boat race. Kerala is blessed with charm of nature and industrious people,” she said.

Kumar said Kerala also stood out on account of its human development achievements like universal literacy and positive gender ratio.

Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, Union Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi and Union Minister of State for Energy and Alappuzha MP K.C. Venugopal were present.

Billed as one of world’s biggest water sporting events, the highlight of the race is the scintillating competition of 20 snakeboats vying for the coveted silver trophy bearing the signature of Nehru.

It was Nehru who suggested holding rowing a competition annually during his visit some six decades ago. He later sent the glittering trophy with his signature embossed on it.

Countryboat races have flourished in the region over centuries as village sports as the area is marked by large stretches of backwaters and smaller canals linking them.

In the past, boat races were patronised by village gentry. In the last few decades, the State government has taken over the event with the participation of village boat clubs.

In more recent times, it has also become a tourism event with foreigners thronging the area during the race season.

‘Sree Ganeshan’ the snakeboat from the home district rowed by Freedom Boat Club, Kainakari, emerged clear winners, followed by ‘Anari’ of Jesus Boat Club, Kollam.

‘Muttel Kainakari’ of United Boat Club, Kainakari, claimed third prize, while ‘Cheruthana’ rowed by Kumarakom Boat Club finished last.

This is the first time in a decade that a boat from the host district is winning the trophy after Friends Boat Club, Chenangari, won it in 2001. Teams from Kollam and Kottayam had been winning the trophy in the last 10 years.

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