Nehru Trophy Boat Race a landmark event that unites Keralites, says Chief Minister

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Keralam Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan, Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and Keralam Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala during the inauguration of the 72nd Nehru Trophy Boat Race at Punnamada Lake in Alappuzha on Saturday. | Photo Credit: PTI

Keralam Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan on Saturday (August 22, 2026) described the Nehru Trophy Boat Race (NTBR) as one of the country’s landmark sporting events, saying the historic race, which carries the imprint of India’s first Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, brings Keralites together in celebration.

Inaugurating the 72nd edition of the NTBR at the Nehru Pavilion, Mr. Satheesan recalled Nehru’s visit to the venue and his enthusiastic participation in the race. “In a letter he wrote to all the Chief Ministers of the country on January 4, 1953, he described the boat race in deeply emotional terms,” he said.

Cooperation and Excise Minister M. Liju, who presided over the function, noted that the number of racing boats and the competitive spirit surrounding the snakeboat races had grown steadily over the years.

Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar was the chief guest. Speaking on the occasion, he said he was proud to be part of the historic event and described Karnataka and Kerala as “brother States.” “We share our culture, climate and water resources,” he said.

Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala flagged off the mass drill, while Tourism Minister P.C. Vishnunadh hoisted the flag. K.C. Venugopal, MP, delivered the keynote address.

Kodikunnil Suresh, MP, released the souvenir and called for transforming the NTBR from a one-day sporting event into a “global water heritage festival.” He also urged the Chief Minister to set up a ₹10-crore ‘Kerala Boat Race Heritage Corpus Fund’ to support the Nehru Trophy and traditional boat races held across the State.

Deputy Speaker Shanimol Osman felicitated the dignitaries. Legislators A.D. Thomas and Reji Cherian, district panchayat president A. Mahendran, municipal chairperson Molly Jacob and others attended the function. District Collector and NTBR Society chairman Shaji V. Nair delivered the welcome address.

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