Speech by Her Excellency the President of India, Shrimati Pratibha Devisingh Patil at the 58th Nehru Trophy Boat Race at Punnamada Lake

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Members of the competing boat crews,

I am very happy to be here to witness the 58th Nehru Trophy Boat Race in these pristine surroundings of the Punnamada Lake. I sense the intense anticipation and excitement amongst all assembled here, as they wait for the start of this year's race. I am told that the men, women and children of Kerala, as well as tourists from the rest of the country and abroad - all look forward to this date in the sporting calendar, for months in advance. This boat race is a reflection of the enthusiasm for sporting activities of the people of Kerala.

The genesis of this race is associated with the visit to Alappuzha of our first Prime Minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru in 1952. On that occasion an impromptu race was conducted. Since then this event has become the most popular boat race in the country. I look forward to watching the mighty chundan vallams, some measuring a hundred feet in length and having crews of over one hundred oarsmen, rowing in unison to the rhythm of the boat song, or Vanchipattu. And also the other boats - iruttukuthy, veppu and churallan, where women and children also participate in the teams. The winners, of course, have the honour of holding aloft the famous Nehru Trophy that was donated by Prime Minister Nehru.

This boat race is not only the test of the physical strength of the crew but also about their knowledge of the water currents, their observation powers, and other technical aspects of boat racing. It is, moreover, team work in action and truly victory is the outcome of co-operation and co-ordination amongst the members of a team. It is the beauty of this event, that while it brings out the spirit of competition between various participating villages and localities, it also becomes an occasion for camaraderie and coming together of people. Families get together, including with members who are settled in distant places, coming back to be with their relatives during this period.

The Nehru Boat Race and other smaller boat races in Kerala during this time of the year can be an opportunity to attract more tourists to the State. Kerala has everything - beaches, misty hill stations, the backwaters, forestlands rich with a large variety of flora and fauna. It has historic monuments and a rich variety of art and culture. Its alluring beauty and serenity leaves tourists mesmerized. To all these advantages, can be added boat race festivals to make Kerala a favoured tourist destination. Alappuzha has a special status in the tourism map of India, as a prime destination for backwater tourism. Being so, it is imperative to save its pristine natural beauty and its waterways from getting polluted. The potential of this district should be harnessed fully according to a scientifically drafted master plan for development of sustainable tourism.

Finally, I would also like to wish the people of Kerala a very happy Onam, the celebrations of which begin later this month. May this festival bring peace and happiness to the people of Kerala. With these words, I wish the Captains, the Rowers, the other members of all the teams and the organisers, the very best and I look forward to watching the races.

Thank you. 
Jai Hind!