Udupi: Handicapped and Handcuffed Swimmer Creates Record of Sorts
Pics by Hemanath Padubidri
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (SP)
Udupi, Feb 8: Prakash Kharvi, a handicapped swimmer from Kody Kanyana, who has two records under his belt, created a new record on Monday February 7, by swimming from St Mary’s Island to Malpe beach in about seven and half hours.
Both the hands of Kharvi, whose right leg has no strength, were bound in the back with the help of handcuffs, plunged into the sea water at 7 am. For seven and half hours, he swam against a choppy sea, and covered the distance of 15 kms, and reached Malpe at about 2.30 pm.
Prakash, son of Soma and Sharada Kharvi, had covered 25 kms distance between Hangarkatte estuary and Malpe beach in four and half hours on December 31, 2007. On December 31, 2008, he swam 56 kms from Gangolly estuary to Kodi Kanyana beach in seven hours.
Amidst bursting of crackers and congratulations from his fans and friends upon completion of the feat on Monday, Kharvi said he faced difficulty in swimming directly between St Mary’s Island and Malpe beach because of turbulent sea and heavy winds. He said he had to swim four extra kilometres because of these problems, but for which, the timing would have been much better. “I am handicapped. Because of this, I was driven to achieve something in life. My father and friends inspired me in my quest. However, neither the government, nor the district administration, has recognized my achievements so far,” he revealed. He nurtures a hope of bagging a government employment.
Leading entrepreneur, Pramod Madhwaraj, who was on the spot to congratulate Kharvi, said that apart from extending help personally, he would try to secure a government employee for Kharvi. He expressed his dissatisfaction about the absence of people’s representatives or the officials of the district administration to encourage the spirited youth.
In the morning, Kota police station house officer, Mahesh Prasad, had extended best wishes to Kharvi before handcuffing him in the back.