Aroma Chundan wins Champakulam Moolam boat race

Kottayam: Aroma Chundan of the Aroma Boat Club won the Rajapramukhan Trophy at the Champakulam Moolam boat race held on the Pamba River on Monday, kicking off the state’s boat-race season. The snake boat was launched just 10 days ago.Nadubhagam Chundan, rowed by the Nadubhagam Boat Club, finished second, while Naduvileparamban Kumarakom Chundan, rowed by the NCDC Kumarakom Boat Club, took third place. In the chundan losers’ final, Champakulam Chundan secured the top spot.Tourism minister P C Vishnunadh, who inaugurated the race, said a decision was taken to raise the grant allotted for the Champakulam Moolam boat race. Water festivals will be presented to the world as a key attraction of Kerala tourism, he said, adding that Kerala’s water-festival season begins with the Moolam boat race. “These events are not merely competitions; they also introduce the younger generation to Kerala’s water-based heritage and offer a journey into the history of our rich culture,” the minister said, adding that the govt views water festivals with great seriousness and that the Champions Boat League (CBL) would be conducted in a more improved manner from this year onwards.Kuttanad MLA Reji Cherian presided over the function. Mavelikkara MP Kodikunnil Suresh was the chief guest.