The famous Nehru Trophy Boat Race, which is both a major event and a prime tourist attraction in Kerala, will be held on 10 November.
Kerala Finance Minister Dr Thomas Isaac took to Twitter on Friday to announce the date of the boat race that was postponed due to the devastating floods in the state in August this year.
“Kuttanad is open for business after floods. Come and enjoy the backwaters. Let’s us celebrate annual Nehru Trophy Boat Race, though two months delayed, on second Saturday, 10th November,” he wrote.
Welcoming all, Isaac said that this is the first major tourism event after the floods.
“Come in solidarity with Kuttanad,” he added.
Kuttanad is open for business after floods. Come and enjoy the backwaters. Let’s us celebrate annual Nehru Trophy Boat Race ,though two months delayed , on second Saturday,10th November. This is the first major tourism event after the floods. Come in solidarity with Kuttanad.
— Thomas Isaac (@drthomasisaac) October 12, 2018
Kuttanad, which is known as the rice bowl of Kerala, was one of the worst hit regions in the state during the floods. Vast tracts of fertile land were completely submerged and crops ready for harvest were destroyed.
The Nehru Trophy Boat Race has been traditionally held on the Punnamda Lake in Kuttanad, which is near Alappuzha, on the second Saturday of August every year.
According to the official website of the race, an estimated two lakh people throng to the village to witness the fiercely fought boat race.