It was a meditative experience – these were the first words uttered by 45-year-old Esvantha Rao, as he emerged from YMCA’s swimming pool, clad in diving gear, after enjoying a session of scuba diving.
He, along with 30-odd persons with disabilities (PWDs) between the ages of 18 and 50, including those with cerebral palsy, spinal cord injuries, muscular dystrophy and visual impairment, took part in the one-day scuba diving training programme organized by Ektha, an organization working for PWDs and Temple Adventures, which specialises in training PWDs in diving.
The training programme started at 7.30 a.m. at the swimming pool in the YMCA Nandanam campus and went on until 1 p.m.
“I have watched people dive into water and see the fish. I have always wanted to do it. I was inside the water for ten minutes. It was pure bliss,” exclaimed Mr. Rao, a television mechanic from Mangadu.
Wearing gear that weighed 21 kg, including an air-cylinder, the participants took turns to enter the pool and enjoyed the experience.
“I have always wanted to swim and experience how it felt under water. But I never tried it, as I lacked the confidence. Now I am keen on trying to divein the sea too,” said M. Selvam, a tailor from Ashok Nagar.
Satish Kumar, co-ordinator, Ektha, explained that he had tried scuba diving earlier despite living with a disability. “Many would not have had the opportunity to try it. So we decided to arrange a training session. In fact, many have not even entered a swimming pool before this training,” he said.
S.B. Aravind Tarunshree, trainer from Temple Adventures, who is trained in adaptive techniques, said that he has been diver with disabilities for the past six years.
“When I started, very few persons with disabilities used to attend the diving sessions. Now, more people are coming. Todate I have trained closed to 300 divers. Many have become expert divers,” he explained.
Rajeev Rajan, director, Ektha said: “After two or three training sessions, the participants will be able to try out diving in the sea.”
