ALAPPUZHA: Alappuzha district heralded this year's boat race season with ‘Ayaparambu Pandy’ of NCDC boat club, Kaipuzhamuttu, lifting the Rajpramukh Trophy in the 472th Champakulam boat race held at Pamba river on Saturday. ‘Nadubhagom Chundan’ of Nadubhagom boat club came second while ‘Champakulam Chundan’ of Champakulam boat club finished third. In the final of the Veppu A Grade, ‘Pulikkithara’ emerged winners, followed by ‘Ambalakkadavan’ and ‘Chennikkadan’ in second and third places respectively. In the category of Iruttukutthi, ‘Padakkut-hira’ finished first while ‘Mamoodan’ came in second.
As many as 16 boats including six snake boats took part in one of the oldest boat races in the state. Water pageantry was also held as part of boat race. PWD minister G Sudhakaran inaugurated the event at 2.30pm while Transport minister Thomas Chandy presided. Kodikunnil Suresh, MP, gave away the trophy to winning teams.
