Alappuzha:The history-making snake boat Nadubhagom Chundan, the first ever to find place in the Guinness Book of Records in 1996 as the largest canoe capable of carrying 118 crew, will not attend the prestigious Nehru Trophy boat race this year too.
For the last five years it is out of the race as its condition is bad. The Chundan shot to fame as Independent India’s first Prime Minister Mr Jawaharlal Nehru along with his daughter Indira Gandhi jumped onto its deck after being fascinated by its spectacular win in the debut Prime Minister's trophy in 1952.
Mr Joseph Elemkulam, Nadubhagom boat club secretary, says the Nadubahgom Chundan has lost its sheen after the highly modernized snake boats conquered the race. Nadubhagom has been participating only in the 'B' Batch display match for the last few years. The club has decided to participate in the competition next year. We had planned to be part of this year’s race, but the makeover of the chundan still remains unfinished,” he says.
Despite being the first champion of the Prime Minister’s Trophy, the government is yet to take a decision to preserve this boat. “The culture department has to make the effort to declare it as a monument,” Mr Elemkulam demands.
Mr V.V Grigary, the seniormost boat race commentator and Nadubhagom boat club member, says the Nudubhagom Chundan was a special attraction in the Nehru trophy boat races until 2002. It had been adjudged as a runner up in the Nehru Trophy a number of times.
The boat lost its glory when several oarsmen left the boat club. At one time, the club had more than 500 members led by great oarsmen such as Jose Pushpamangalam and N NarayanaKurup. Now it has less than 100 members.
“We still keep a portion of old Chundan safe to retain its legacy with Nehru, the nation-builder. The authorities have not yet recognised the position of Nadubagom in the history of boat races,' he pointed out.
