The rowers, paddling the Veeyapuram Chundan (snake boat), won by a tiny fraction of a second. They finished with a time of 4:21.084, just ahead of the Nadubhagom Chundan (4:21.782), which came in second. The Melpadam Chundan, which had won for the last five years, came in third.
For the Kainakary team, this was a very emotional victory. Their last win was in 1987 with the Karichal Chundan boat. When the captains, Bifi Varghese and Baiju Kuttanad, lifted the Nehru Trophy, the crowd cheered loudly with fireworks and drums.
“It feels like a dream come true,” said a very happy Bifi.
The event had more good news. Tourism Minister P A Mohamed Riyas announced a record 10 crore rupees for the Nehru Trophy Boat Race, with 7 crore rupees to be used for a new permanent building for spectators. He said the government wants to make the race one of Kerala’s top tourist attractions.
With input from TNIE
For more details: Navamalayalam.com
