ALAPPUZHA: Making a spectacular and highly impressive competitive debut, Aroma Chundan, steered skillfully by the Aroma Boat Club of Pooyapilly in Kollam, emerged victorious to claim the coveted Raja Pramukhan Trophy. The high-octane final of the traditional Moolam Boat Race was held on the scenic waters of the Pampa River at Champakulam in Kuttanad on Monday. Nadubhagom Chundan, rowed passionately by the Nadubhagom Boat Club, secured the runner-up position, while Naduvileparamban Chundan, managed by the NCDC Boat Club in Kumarakom, wrapped up the race in third place. A total of seven iconic snake boats locked horns in the premium Chundan Vallam category this year.
In addition to the main attraction, fierce and energetic races were witnessed in the popular Veppu and Iruttukuthi categories as well. In the Veppu ‘A’ grade competition, Jayshot Pulickathara, rowed by the Veliyanad-based Jayasree Boat Club, proudly claimed the title, while Punnatharapurackal, handled by the Kondakkal Boat Club in Nadubhagom, secured the top spot in the Veppu ‘B’ grade event. Meanwhile, the Iruttukuthi ‘A’ grade honors went to P G Karnan, rowed by the MBC Boat Club in Mepral. St Joseph, steered by the members of the Kings Boat Club in Vaisyabhagom, emerged victorious in the Iruttukuthi ‘B’ grade segment.
Ahead of the sporting events, the deeply rooted traditional rituals were strictly followed, with senior representatives of the Travancore Devaswom Board paying customary visits to the sacred Champakulam Madathil temple, the ancestral Mappilassery family residence, and the historic St Mary’s Basilica at Kalloorkad. Formally inaugurating the water regatta, Tourism Minister P. C. Vishnunadh assured local organizers that the state government is committed to enhancing financial assistance for the annual boat races. Addressing ongoing public concerns regarding the operational future of the Champions Boat League (CBL), the Minister stated that the administration is actively looking into increasing the financial budget allocation for the tournament, guaranteeing that it will be executed this year with the same grandeur as previous editions.
During the formal meeting, Alappuzha District Collector Shaji V. Nair hoisted the official race flag, while Member of Parliament Kodikunnil Suresh presented the glittering trophies to the winning clubs. Kuttanad MLA Reji Cherian presided over the inaugural function. The grand event also saw the active participation of other notable dignitaries, including District Panchayat President A. Mahendran, Champakulam Block Panchayat President Tijin Joseph, popular Malayalam actor Pramod Veliyanad, and Kuttanad Tahsildar U. Rajiv.
ലഘു വിവരണം
പമ്പാനദിയിൽ നടന്ന ഈ വർഷത്തെ ചമ്പക്കുളം മൂലം വള്ളംകളിയിൽ കൊല്ലം പൂയപ്പള്ളി അരോമ ബോട്ട് ക്ലബ്ബിന്റെ അരോമ ചുണ്ടൻ രാജപ്രമുഖൻ ട്രോഫിയിൽ മുത്തമിട്ടു. കന്നിപ്പോരാട്ടത്തിൽ തന്നെ അരോമ വിജയം നേടിയപ്പോൾ നാടുഭാഗം ചുണ്ടൻ രണ്ടാം സ്ഥാനവും നടുവിലേപ്പറമ്പൻ മൂന്നാം സ്ഥാനവും നേടി. ജലോത്സവം ഉദ്ഘാടനം ചെയ്ത ടൂറിസം മന്ത്രി പി. സി. വിഷ്ണുനാഥ് വള്ളംകളികൾക്കുള്ള സർക്കാർ ഗ്രാൻഡ് വർദ്ധിപ്പിക്കുമെന്നും സി.ബി.എൽ (CBL) വള്ളംകളി പതിവുപോലെ ഈ വർഷവും നടത്തുമെന്നും പ്രഖ്യാപിച്ചു. മത്സരങ്ങൾക്ക് മുന്നോടിയായി മാപ്പിളശ്ശേരി തറവാട് ഉൾപ്പെടെയുള്ള കേന്ദ്രങ്ങളിൽ പരമ്പരാഗത ആചാരങ്ങൾ നടന്നു.
(With inputs from TNIE)
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