Race for a decision

The 53rd race of the globally famous Nehru Trophy Snake Boat Race is scheduled on August 11 at Punnamada Kayal in Alappuzha district of Kerala. But who won the 52nd race in 2011? The answer is – believe this – under judicial review. This is what happened. The Devas Chundan team won the race in 4.35 minutes and the runner-up was Karichal Chundan. Based on a petition filed by Karichal, the jury of appeal disqualified Devas. Karichal’s allegation was that the Devas oarsmen did not wear uniform, as stipulated by the rules and regulations of the event, in the finals. Jesus Boat Club, the sponsors of Devas Chundan, then filed a petition in the Kerala High Court and that decision is awaited. So, bizarrely, fans of this boat race, for which Jawaharlal Nehru donated the trophy, will get to know the winners of the 2012 boat race on August 11. But they’ll have to wait longer to discover the winner of the 2011 edition.