KOTTAYAM: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi debuted as an oarsman of the famed snake boats in Kerala as the snake boat rowed by him on Monday won an exhibition race in Punnamada Lake in Alappuzha where the famous Nehru Trophy Boat race is held annually.
The exhibition race was held after Rahul expressed his wish to witness the race which had once thrilled his great-grandfather Jawaharlal Nehru. It was after a trip in Kuttanad in a houseboat during his Bharat Jodo Yatra, Rahul participated in the exhibition race. The race, which included three snake boats, began by 3.50pm. Rahul removed his shoe before entering the snake boat 'Naduvileparamban' rowed by the oarsmen of NCDC boat club, Kumarakom. AICC general secretary K C Venugopal also accompanied Rahul in the snake boat. Rahul rowed in accordance with the rhythm of the ‘vanchippattu’ and his boat won the race much ahead of Aanari Chundan which came second. Vellamkulangara finished third.
