JUST a week ahead of plunging into the sea waters at Talai Mannar in Sri Lanka for attempting a daring feat of crossing Palk Strait between India and Sri Lanka, Nagpur’s sixteen-year-old visually impaired swimmer Ishwari Pande exuded confidence that she will accomplish the task. The expedition will start from Talai Mannar (Sri Lanka) at 2 am on April 6, and will end at Dhanushkodi (India) by around 3 pm. If she swims the 38km distance between Talai Mannar in Sri Lanka to Dhanushkodi in India, Ishwari will become the first-ever blind swimmer to do so and it will be a sort of world record. “I am very much confident that I will successfully complete the task. For last few months, I have been training vigorously for 5-6 hours daily at NIT Swimming Pool, Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Swimming Pool and at lakes including the one at Mangli near Kuhi. With the blessing of God and my well-wishers, I am sure I will complete the task. I also take this opportunity to thank my parents for helping me throughout my life,” said Ishwari during a press conference on Monday. “Disability is not an obstacle, it is a strength. With determination and hard work, we can overcome any limitation,” she added. Regarding her campaign, city’s noted NIS international swimming coach Sanjay Batwe, who has been training Ishwari for a long time, said, “Ishwari’s determination and hard work are extraordinary.

 

Her efforts will provide new inspiration to disabled athletes.” Sukhdeo Dhurve of Maharashtra State Amateur Swimming Association, Mumbai, who will witness the event as an Observer said that it will be a big challenge for the youngster as she will face difficult conditions of strong sea currents, high waves, adverse weather conditions and dangerous marine life. Ironman Rajendra Jaiswal feels that Ishwari is attempting something extraordinary. “I have trained alongside Ishwari and once asked Batwe sir to let me swim blindfolded. I could not do it for more than 3-40 seconds. Ishwari attempting to swim such a huge distance is something extraordinary.” A main boat, one speed boat and four kayaks will be with her at all times for her safety during this expedition. Every half an hour during her swim, Ishwari will be taking some nutriment. She will be applying petroleum jelly on her body to avoid being disturbed by aqua life. Experienced swimmers and support team for this mission include pace swimmers Ishant Pande, Ravindra Tarare, Bhavi Rajgire, Sandeep Vaidya, Shankar Ashtankar, Vilas Fale and Dr Nirav Pandya. Dr Abhay Rajgire will be present in the medical team while Vijaykumar (National Coach), Jayakumar (Tamil Nadu District Swimming Association) and Dhurve will be present as Observers. For this historic effort, she has received official permission from the governments of India and Sri Lanka, the Navy Department and the Ministry of External Affairs. Krida Bharti’s Avinash Deoskar, Pradeep Keche, Sanjay Lokhande and Kamlesh Pande were among those present during the press conference.