ALAPPUZHA: In a stunning performance that has added a fresh chapter to the history of boat races, Aroma Chundan, rowed by members of Aroma Boat Club, lifted the Nehru Trophy in their maiden appearance. Amid an electrifying atmosphere, with thousands of spectators cheering on, the final race was decided by a difference of milliseconds.
Aroma Chundan surged to victory after overcoming an initial setback and powering ahead in the final stretch. PBC Punnamada-NCFC Boat Club’s Nadubhagam Chundan finished second, trailing the winners by just 12 milliseconds. UBC Kainakari’s Veeyapuram Chundan secured third place, while Pallathuruthy Boat Club’s Melpadam Chundan finished fourth.
Aroma finished in 4.23.328 minutes, while Nadubhagom finished in 4.23.448 minutes. Veeyapuram clocked 4.23.770 minutes while Melpadam finished in 4.24.015 minutes.
The triumph marked a remarkable beginning for Aroma, the new snake boat and boat club created by the Aroma Business Group. The team had announced before the season that it was aiming to create a “miracle” in its very first Nehru Trophy campaign. The exhilarating victory on the Punnamada backwaters has now given substance to that bold claim. In their maiden contest in the Champakulam Moolam Boat Race, too, the club had emerged victorious last month.
Aroma Chundan was launched earlier this year. P K Sajeev, a native of Kollam and chairman of the Aroma Group, serves as the president of the Aroma Club, while Sajeesh Kurup is the secretary and Aneesh Jacob the treasurer.
The team’s boat-racing ambitions are also closely linked to the Sajeev family. Ranjith Sajeev, son of P K Sajeev, was the captain of Karichal Chundan last year. His experience and passion for the sport, along with the family’s growing interest in ‘vallamkali’, eventually led to the creation of their own snake boat and boat club.
Chief Minister V D Satheesan inaugurated the event. Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala,
Tourism Minister P C Vishnunadh, Excise Minister M Liju, MPs K C Venugopal and Kodikunnil Suresh, MLAs A D Thomas, Reji Cheriyan, and Shanimol Usman, and Collector Shaji V Nair attended the inaugural ceremony.