ALAPPUZHA (Kerala): (AMN) President Pratibha patil on Saturday said that boat race was a reflection of the enthusiasm for sporting activities of the people of Kerala. Inaugurating 58th Nehru Trophy Boat Race here president said that the Nehru Boat Race and other smaller boat races in Kerala could be an opportunity to attract more tourists to the State.
“Kerala has everything – beaches, misty hill stations, the backwaters, forestlands rich with a large variety of flora and fauna” said president adding Kerala historic monuments and a rich variety of art and culture. ‘Its alluring beauty and serenity leaves tourists mesmerized’.
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She said that it was a beuatiful sporting event where the victory was the result of the spirit of competition, co-operation and co-ordination among the team members, she observed.
She said the tourism potential of the sylvan settings of Alappuzha district should be harnessed fully based on a scientifically prepared master plan with its emphasis on sustainable development.
The President also extended hearty Onam greetings to the people of Kerala. She was presented with the replica of a ‘chundan vallam’ (snake boat) by the organisers.
Governor R S Gavai,Union Ministers Selja, Vayalar Ravi, state Home and Tourism Minister Kotiyeri Balakrishnan, Health Minister P K Sreemathy and K C Venugopal, MP, were present on the occasion. Nehru trophy boat race is held on the second Saturday of August every year, commemorating the boat ride of India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru through the backwaters of Travancore nearly six decades back.
Meanwhile Jawahar Thayankari won the 2010 edition of the annual Nehru Trophy Snake Boat Race held in the Punnamada Lake.
Kumarakom Town Boat Club rowed Jawahar Thayankari to victory in an exciting contest in which they beat the Payipadu Chundan by mere inches.