Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (JS)
Mangaluru, Dec 8: The city of Mangaluru on Thursday December 8 a Guiness world record-breaking feat when six swimmers that formed the 'Sea Hawks' reached the coast of Mangaluru at Tannirbavi, swimming a distance of 1,031 km from Mumbai.
This historic swim was kicked off at the Gateway of India on November 16 by Piyush Goyal, union minister for power. The expedition was undertaken to pay tribute to the martyrs and victims of the 26/11 attack. The team of serving and former servicemen as well as civilians broke the record held by Night Rain Open Water swimming team of US which had swum 504 km.
The team was led by wing commander Param Veer Singh, and includes retired sergeant Gulupili Narahari, leading aircraftman Vicky Tokas, all from the Indian Air Force, assistant sub-inspector Shrikant Palande of the Mumbai police and two civilians Rahul Chiplunkar, a state-level sea swimming champion and Manav Mehta, a 16-year-old from Mumbai, guide Subodh Sule and Shekar Kale, an independent observer appointed by the Swimming Federation of India.
Wing commander Param Veer Singh interacting with the media said, "We have broken the Guinness record for the longest open water swim ever by unlimited number of people. In 2009 there were 200 swimmers in relay form who swam 684.75 km and we have also broken this world record with six members against 200 members. We urge many more people to join us in this tribute swim and condemn terror attacks. While we are setting world record we also urge for world peace.
"It is a non-stop relay where five hours a person is swimming and five hours a person is out. We have to follow an order, and no one can be replaced even for health reasons, which makes it even more challenging. The currents in the Mangaluru coast are not as rough on the east coast. It is safe to swim. We chose Mumbai to Mangaluru because Mangaluru beaches are considered as one of the best in India on visuals. This is a clean beach."
The expedition was promoted by IDBI Bank and Taj Group of Hotels.
Naranamurthy, south zone manager of IDBI Bank, R Prakash, south zone general manager of IDBI Bank and others were present.