The record-breaking sea swimming attempt by the Sea Hawks, a team of six sea swimmers, kicked off at Gateway of India on Saturday afternoon.
The mixed team of serving and former servicemen as well as civilians will be attempting to break their record of 433 km by swimming from Mumbai to Mangalauru, a distance of 1,000 km.
The Hindu had in its November 21 edition reported how the Sea Hawks would be undertaking the exercise as a tribute to all those who lost their lives in the November 26 terror attacks in Mumbai, which left 166 dead and over 200 injured. The team is led by Wing Commander Param Veer Singh, and includes retired Sergeant G Narahari, Leading Aircraftman Vicky Tokas, all of the Indian Air Force; Assistant Sub Inspector Shrikant Palande óf the Mumbai Police and two civilians; Rahul Chiplunkar, a state-level sea swimming champion and Manav Mehta, a 16-year-old sea swimming prodigy from Navi Mumbai.
The expedition, which is promoted by IDBI Bank, began after a short function at Gateway of India, which was attended by Piyush Goyal, Minister of State with Independent Charge for Power, Coal, New and Renewable Energy and Mines; Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’ wife Amruta and IDBI Deputy Managing Director K P Nair.
The writer is an intern with The Hindu
