The first race was a spontaneous one arranged in 1952 to celebrate the visit of Panditji to Alappuzha.

In this snake boat race, a boat named Nadubhagam Chundan stood first.

Panditji, loved the race and the performance of the oarsmen and in his enthusiasm jumped into the Nadubhagam Chundan, giving his security a slip.

The boat reached the jetty with the prime minister on board. In December 1952, Nehru donated a silver trophy, a miniature snake boat.

The trophy is inscribed with: “To the winners of the boat race which is a unique feature of community life in Travancore Cochin."

The trophy was later called the Nehru Trophy. In memory of Panditiji, the people of Alappuzha celebrate the Nehru Trophy Boat Race every year.

Earlier Slide Show: Leaving on a jetplane, scared and hassled

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