Published Aug 22, 2026 | 9:38 PM ⚊ Updated Aug 22, 2026 | 9:38 PM
The final turned out to be a cliff-hanger, and Aroma Chundan had the last laugh.
Synopsis: Inaugurating the race, Chief Minister VD Satheesan described the Nehru Trophy Boat Race as a sporting tradition that has grown into a major symbol of Keralam’s collective spirit and cultural identity.
Aroma Chundan won the 72nd Nehru Trophy Boat Race in a thrilling contest at the Punnamada Lake in Alappuzha on Saturday, 22 August.
The contest saw three snake boats crossing the finishing line within 4.23 seconds, sending the spectators into a frenzy.
PBC Punnamada NCFC Boat Club’s Nadubhagam Chundan, which had trailed in the early stages, fought back strongly to secure second place, finishing just 12 milliseconds behind the winner.
UBC Kainakari FC’s Veeyapuram Chundan finished third, while Pallathuruthy Boat Club’s Melpadam Chundan took fourth place. Veeyapuram had won the previous edition.
The Aroma Boat Club-powered Chundan clocked 4:23.328, with Nadubhagam darting across the finishing line at 4:23.448, and Veeyapuram recording 4:23.770. Melpadam clocked 4:24:015.
Interestingly, this was Aroma Chundan’s and Aroma Boat Club’s debut Nehru Trophy race. Launched by the Aroma Business Group, the team had announced its arrival by winning the Champakulam Moolam Boat Race.
Earlier, Veeyapuram Chundan had won the first heat, beating Thalavady, Sree Vinayakan and Ayaparambu Pandi. Interestingly, Veeyapuram had a better timing of 4:20 in the qualifier.
Despite winning the second heat, Champakulam Chundan did not make the finals, clocking 5:06.
Melpadam of Pallathuruthy Boat Club and Nadubhagam had better timings in the third heat —4:16 and 4:16 —than Aroma Chundan’s 4:27 in the fourth; none of the boats that competed in the fifth and sixth heats qualified.
As many as 71 boats, including 22 snake boats, competed in different categories.
Earlier, Keralam’s Chief Minister VD Satheesan inaugurated the state’s flagship watersport event.
Inaugurating the race, Satheesan described the Nehru Trophy Boat Race as a sporting tradition that has grown into a major symbol of Keralam’s collective spirit and cultural identity.
Satheesan said the annual event continued to hold a special place in the state’s public life by bringing people together in celebration.
He recalled the visit of India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, to the venue and his enthusiasm for the boat race.
The Chief Minister also referred to a letter Nehru had written to the country’s Chief Ministers on 4 January 1953, in which he spoke warmly about the race.
Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar was the chief guest.
Expressing happiness at witnessing the historic event, he described Keralam and Karnataka as “brother states”, noting that the two states shared close cultural ties as well as common concerns relating to climate and water resources.
