Sonia Gandhi inaugurates Nehru Trophy Boat Race in Kerala

Alappuzha (Kerala), Aug. 8(ANI): The United Progressive Alliance Chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Saturday inaugurated the 57th edition of the Nehru Trophy Boat Race at the Punnamada lake in Kerala's Alappuzha District.

Along with Gandhi, Union Ministers including Vayalar Ravi, Kumari Selja, Sasi Tharoor and State ministers attended the extravagant event.

During the inauguration ceremony Sonia Gandhi said that the state's culture, which unites every community in a shared endeavour is an example for the rest of the country.

The 67 year-old also recalled Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru's enthusiasm for the water sport event, which he had witnessed in 1952.

The race is one of the most popular and competitive boat races in Kerala.

The most exciting competition in the boat race is the competition of snake boats or Chundanvallams, which usually requires more than 110 oarsmen and a few singers.

Hundreds of thousands of rupees are spent by each boat club for the month-long practice.

The Nehru Trophy boat race is held annually on second Saturday of August here. It is one of the best-known water carnivals of India. (ANI)