Aroma Chundan clinches title in Thazhathangady Boat Race

Aroma Chundan, rowed by the Aroma Boat Club of Paravur in Kollam, raced to victory in the Thazhathangady Boat Race, the Kottayam leg of the Champions Boat League (CBL). Aroma Chundan crossed the finish line in 3 minutes and 21.227 seconds to win the title. Melpadam Chundan, rowed by Pallathuruthy Boat Club, finished second in 3 minutes and 21.802 seconds, followed by Niranam Chundan of Niranam Boat Club in 3 minutes and 21.925 seconds. Veeyapuram, Cheruthana, Arppookara, Punyalan Niranam, Nadubhagam and Thalavady finished fourth to ninth, respectively.

In the smaller boat categories, Puthenparambil won in the Iruttukuthi B-grade event, Champion clinched the Veppu B-grade title, Moozhi won in the Churulan category and Munnuthaikkal emerged victorious in the Iruttukuthi A-grade event. Aroma Boat Club will receive ₹5 lakh in prize money for the victory, while Pallathuruthy Boat Club and Niranam Boat Club will receive ₹3 lakh and ₹1 lakh, respectively, for finishing second and third. District Police Chief K.M. Sabu Mathew distributed the prizes at the valedictory function.

Earlier in the day, Assembly Speaker Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan inaugurated the race at a function presided over by Water Resources and Housing Minister Mons Joseph. .Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Joseph said the Speaker had submitted a proposal for constructing a permanent pavilion for the Thazhathangady boat race. The government would examine the proposal and take a favourable decision, he said.

Kottayam Municipal Chairperson M.P. Santhosh Kumar hoisted the flag to mark the beginning of the ceremony. The Speaker released the boat race souvenir by handing over a copy to Mr. Joseph. Kottayam MP Francis George flagged off the mass drill by the snake boats and the water procession. District Collector Chetan Kumar Meena also spoke.