Ishwari Pande scripts history, becomes first blind swimmer to cross Palk Strait

NAGPUR: In the unforgiving waters of the Palk Strait, where shifting tides, strong currents and stinging jellyfish test even the most seasoned swimmers, 17-year-old Ishwari Pande found her way without sight, but with unshakeable resolve.

On Monday, the visuallyimpaired swimmer from Nagpur etched her name in history, becoming the world’s first completely blind swimmer to cross the treacherous stretch from Sri Lanka to India.




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The 17-year-old began her record attempt at Urmalai Point near Talaimannar in Sri Lanka at 4 am and completed the challenging swim at Arichalmunai in Dhanushkodi at 3:15 pm. Ishwari displayed remarkable endurance and mental strength over the 29km stretch, finishing the swim in 11 hours and 15 minutes.

During the swim, she was guided by her international coach Sanjay Batwe who relayed instructions through a loudspeaker. She was also escorted in the water by experienced swimmers Bhavi Rajgire, Ishant Pande, Sandeep Vaidy, Nirav Pandiy and Dr. Abhay Rajgire. Daughter of Kamlesh and Aruna Pande, Ishwari has been blind since birth.
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