HONOURABLE Governor of Tamil Nadu Banwarilal Purohit felicitated city’s young adventure swimmer Jayant Jaiprakash Duble at Rajbhavan, Chennai on Thursday for becoming the second fastest swimmer to cross Palk Strait. The finishing point of Duble Palk Strait Swimming Expedition was at Arichalmunai, Dhanushkodi in Tamil Nadu. He swam between Talaimannar, Sri Lanka to Arichalmunai covering a total distance of 29 km with the timing of 9 hours and 20 minutes on March 26, 2021.

 

During felicitation, Purohit inquired about Duble’s experience and said that this adventurous swimming expedition by Duble will definitely inspire youth to undertake adventure sports activities. He congratulated Duble for successful fulfilment of the expedition and also gave best wishes for his future expeditions. During this meet, Purohit congratulated Jayant’s father and coach Dr Jaiprakash Duble and his mother Archana and presented a memento to Jayant. On the occasion, Secretary to Governor Anandrao Patil, IAS and ADC to Governor, Sqn Ldr Amit Tiwari and Duble’s family members — Madhukar Adhao, Malti Adhao, Ashish Adhao, Ashwini Adhao, Anushree Adhao and Aryan Adhao were present.

 

In 2018, M Tulasi Chaitanya from Vijayawada (age 29 years) took 8 hours 25 minutes and became the fastest swimmer to swam across Palk Strait. In 2020, Adam Moss alongside Edie Hu, from Hong Kong covered the same distance with a timing of 10 hours 18 minutes and become the second fastest swimmer. As per World Open Water Swimming Association (WOWSA) and time taken by Duble, the young Indian broke the previous record and now is second fastest swimmer to cross Palk Strait. The motto of this expedition was to spread the message of friendship between India and Sri Lanka, Fit India Movement and Drowning Prevention awareness. Duble is NCC Naval Cadet and a first year BPE student of Jyotiba College of Physical Education, Nagpur as well as member of Dolphin Swimming Club.