Inclusion ka strong message dete huye ek landmark endurance effort mein, autism se affected 4 bachchon ne India aur Sri Lanka ke beech Palk Strait par pehli baar 60-km ka two-way open water relay swim complete kiya.
‘Waves of Hope’ naam se is event ko Yadhavi Foundation aur Yadhavi Sports Academy for Special Needs ne, Indian Autism Center ke saath milkar organise kiya tha, aur ise World Book of Records ke recognition ke liye document bhi kiya gaya.
Participants Sri Ashvath, Lav, Kush aur Thanvesh (age 9-10) ne 18 aur 19 April ko lagataar swim kiya, India-Sri Lanka-India route par. Yeh swim Arichal Munai se start hui aur lagbhag 24 ghante open waters mein rehne ke baad wapas Indian coast par complete hui. Shifts mein rotate hote huye, unhone strong currents, choppy conditions aur raat ke time ke tough stretches ko successfully navigate kiya.
Organisers ne bataya ki bachchon ne is challenge ke liye 8 mahine tak pool aur open water conditions mein kaafi rigorous training li thi. Founder aur head coach Sathish Sivakumar ne kaha, “Yeh swim sirf distance ke baare mein nahi tha, balki logon ki soch badalne ke baare mein tha. In bachchon ne dikhaya hai ki ability limitations se aage hoti hai.”
Co-founder Gokulakrishnan Chandran ne kaha, “Is initiative ka aim autism wale bachchon ki capabilities ko highlight karna aur global awareness create karna tha. Yeh sirf ek record attempt nahi hai, balki inclusion ke liye ek movement hai.”
Medical support Dr Kamakshi Memorial Hospitals ne provide kiya, aur poori swim ke dauraan safety personnel swimmers ke saath rahe. Friday ko New Delhi mein ek felicitation ceremony bhi organise ki gayi.
