Alappuzha: Tickets for this year’s Nehru Trophy boat race are now available at the government offices in Alappuzha district. Online sales of the tickets too have started. On Monday - the first day of sales - over 40 tickets were sold from the government offices, while tickets worth Rs one lakh have been bought online in the first three days. Sales have resumed at government offices on Friday after Thursday’s holiday. Tickets will be sold from various government offices in other districts also in the coming days, said authorities.
The direct sale of tickets was launched by Member of Parliament from Alappuzha A M Arif by handing over a ticket to businessperson Harris Raja. Meanwhile, P P Chittaranjan, Member of the Legislative Assembly, inaugurated the boat race office, which is located near the Alappuzha RDO office. Sub Collector Sooraj Shaji, who is the secretary of the Nehru Trophy Boat Race Society, was present at the function.
This year’s boat race will take place on September 4 at Punnamada Lake in Alappuzha district of Kerala.
Ticket rates
Tourist Gold (Nehru Pavilion): Rs 3,000.
Tourist Silver (Nehru Pavilion): Rs 2,500.
Rose Corner (Concrete Pavilion): Rs 1,000.
Victory Line (Wooden Gallery): Rs 500.
All View (Wooden Gallery): Rs 300.
Lake View (Wooden Gallery): Rs 200.
Lawn: Rs 100.
Apart from government offices, tickets are available from the online platforms ticketgenie, Paytm Insider and South Indian Bank.
Other preparations
As part of the festival, the registration of the boats taking part in various races will be conducted from August 20-25. This will be followed by a ‘Captains Clinic’ on August 27 and a procession on the backwaters on August 30. A variety of cultural programmes will be organised from August 31 to September 3. A cultural procession also will take place on September 2.
Meanwhile, the inauguration of the work to set up the ‘pandal’ (awning) was done by District Collector V R Krishna Teja at Punnamada Finishing Point on Thursday.
‘Vachippattu’ competition
Teams wishing to take part in the ‘Vanchippattu’ (boat song) contest to be held as part of the festival should register with the Irrigation Division Office, Alappuzha between August 20 and 25, said authorities. The contest is scheduled for August 31.
There will be competitions in the following categories: Junior and Senior Girls and Boys; Aranmula style for men; and Vechupattu Kuttanad style for Men and Women. Only the first 25 teams who register would be allowed to take part in each category. The authorities have also invited applications from people who are interested in becoming judges for the Vanchippattu events.
‘Niracharthu’ contest
A ‘Niracharthu’ (painting) event for students will also be organised by the Nehru Trophy Boat Race Publicity Committee at Leo XIII Higher Secondary School Auditorium. The time is 10.30 am on August 20.