An Indian Navy sailor’s 12-year-old daughter has created history by swimming 36 kms in the Arabian Sea to create awareness about Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), officials said here on Thursday.
The girl, Jiya Rai, is herself an Autism Spectrum Disorder case. A Class VII student of the Navy Children’s School, Rai swam the distance from Bandra-Worli Sea Link to Gateway of India in 8 hours and 40 min on Wednesday.
“This is a new world record as last year, she set a record by becoming the youngest girl with ASD to swim 14 kms in the open sea,” said an official, adding that the feat would be certified by the concerned authorities.
Starting early, she plunged into the cold waters at the BWSL at 3.40 a.m. and reached her destination 36 kms away at 12.30 p.m., welcomed with cheers and clapping by the assembled crowd.
After completing her swim, Jiya was felicitated with a trophy by the President of Greater Mumbai Amateur Aquatic Association Zarir N. Baliwala and others at a function near the Gateway of India. Rai dedicated her astounding swimming feat to the cause of raising awareness about ASD.
Earlier, in February, 2020, Rai had completed the treacherous swim from Gateway of India to Elephanta Island, a distance of 14 kms, in 3 hours and 27 minutes, creating a world record for being the youngest girl with ASD to swim 14 kms in the open sea.
Surjitt Sahani
