Kolkata: On this day 61 years ago, Arati Saha became the first Asian woman to swim across the English Channel just at the age of 19. Google on Thursday (September 24) honoured the swimmer on her 80th birthday. She also became the first sportswoman to be awarded the Padma Shri in 1960.
Her career in swimming began at an early age of five. Born on September 24, 1940, to a Bengali family in Kolkata, Saha lost her mother at a very early age and was eventually raised by her grandmother in North Kolkata. Her father noticed her interest in swimming thus took her to Hatkhola Swimming Club for proper training. Her talent was recognised by India’s first Asian Games gold medalist, Sachin Nag, who chose to train her, thus her career took off.
Early Life
Between 1945 to 1951, when Bengal was on the extreme edge of collapsing due to communal violence and forced conversions, of which women bore the brunt, Saha, on the other hand, won 22 medals in state-level competitions before even completing a decade in her career.
In 1948 she participated at the national championship held in Mumbai. There she won two silvers in 100m freestyle and 200m breaststroke, a bronze in 200m freestyle, her first victory after India gained Independence. She also made an all India record in 1949.
Crossing the English Channel
Saha’s international journey began in 1952 with the Summer Olympic Games at Helsinki, Finland. At the age of 18, Saha attempted to cross the English Channel. Saha was inspired by the accomplishment of Brojen Das, who was the first Asian to swim across the English Channel, not for once but six times, and Mihir Sen, the first Indian to swim the English Channel and the only man to swim the oceans of the five continents in one calendar year(1966).
After one failed attempt, Saha successfully crossed the English Channel on September 29, 1959. Starting from Cape Gris Nez, France to reach Sandgate, England, she swam for 16 hours and 20 minutes, a distance of 42 miles battling tough waves, becoming the first Asian woman to do so. Upon reaching England she hoisted the Indian flag on the coast. Eminent personalities like Jawahar Lal Nehru, Vijaylakshmi Pandit and many more personally congratulated her. Her achievement was announced by All Indian radio on September 30.
Arati Saha died due to acute jaundice and encephalitis on August 23, 1994, at the age of 53. Although she died a bit early, her accomplishments we keep on inspiring. Thursday’s doodle was illustrated by Kolkata-based artist Lavanya Naidu.
In an interview, Naidu said, Saha was “a known household name growing up” in Kolkata. “I hope it adds to the celebration of female figures in our country’s history and human resilience. I also hope it’s an inspiration to people everywhere to dream big, no matter where you come from.”
