Arifa VK was 67 years old when she accompanied her grandchildren to a swimming club in Aluva, Kerala. Inspired by what she saw, Arifa expressed her desire to join the students. In 16 days, she learned enough to graduate from her class with honors. She made news when she swam across the Periyar, hijab in place, in 2021. The next year, at the age of 70, she crossed the river again, this time with her hands tied.
Arifa's teacher, Saji Valassery, is known across India for teaching the ABCs of swimming. The 60-year-old, who established Valasseril River Swimming Club in 2010, has trained thousands, even people with disabilities, to swim in the Periyar, completely free of cost. "In 2009, the Thekkady boat tragedy happened. A double decker boat carrying 78 tourists capsized, and 45 people died. That's when I decided to teach people swimming free of cost," says Valassery, who runs a furniture shop.
Denne historien er fra December 08, 2024-utgaven av The New Indian Express.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra December 08, 2024-utgaven av The New Indian Express.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
'CINEMA IS MY WAY OF ADDRESSING SOCIAL ISSUES'
Gearing up to release Game Changer, director Shankar discusses criticisms, why audiences should know the effort behind making a film, visual grandeur, Ram Charan, and more
Retro to release in May
WE had earlier reported that Suriya's film with Karthik Subbaraj, titled Retro, is gearing up for a summer 2025 release.
2K Love Story gets Valentine's Day release
DIRECTOR Suseenthiran's upcoming film 2K Love Story, which was earlier set to release in theatres on January 10, was moved to February a few days ago.
Armie Hammer to Lead Thriller Titled The Dark Knight
With his career coming to a standstill following allegations of sexual misconduct in 2021, actor Armie Hammer is set to make a comeback to films with a lead role in Uwe Boll's upcoming thriller, The Dark Knight.
AMPLIFYING FADING MUSICAL SOUNDS
Connecting audiences to tradition, while bringing in new technology, MadRasana and the auditorium at ACJ have become spaces that create an acoustic experience for new rasikas of Carnatic music
CREATIONS IN DISTANT LANDS
ASK any middle-class Indian household if they have members of their clan in distant shores and the answer would certainly be in the affirmative.
CHENNAI MEETS JAPAN IN SHELVES
The air at YMCA Nandanam is heavy on knowledge, bibliosmia, and looks nothing less of an abode for bibliophiles.
India gets its first-ever glass bridge-over-sea
Situated in Kanyakumari, this new tourist attraction, inaugurated on December 30, has been designed to improve accessibility between the two landmarks while creating the thrilling illusion of walking on water...
HOW TO BE A TRAVEL JUNKIE!
This two-day travel festival in Mumbai this week brings together destinations, cultural experiences, food and more to inspire Indian globetrotters.
Chennai GM meet: 2 on top
DEEPAN Chakkravarthy J and Iniyan Pa are on 7.5 points apiece at the end of the ninth round of the 15th Chennai Open International GM chess meet.
