Delhi: Jiya Rai, a 13-year-old Maharashtra girl, suffering from autistic spectrum disorder, has set a new record on Sunday (March 20, 2022) by swimming across the Palk Strait from Talaimannar in Sri Lanka to Dhanuskodi in Tamil Nadu, covering a distance of 29 kilometers in record 13 hours and 10 minutes.
Jiya Rai, daughter of a senior sailor of the Indian Navy, Madan Rai of INS Kuntalji, became the world’s youngest and fastest female swimmer to swim across the Palk Strait. Jiya achieved the feat at the age of 13 years and 10 months. Bhula Chowdhary held the previous record, covering the distance in 13 hours and 52 minutes in 2004.
The event was conducted by the Para-Swimming Federation of India (PSFI) with cooperation from many agencies, including the Swimming Federation of India, the Sports Development Authority, Tamil Nadu, and the Autism Society of India. The Goa Shipyard Ltd supported this event financially.
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Lankan Navy provided the search and rescue cover to Jiya while swimming in Lankan waters while the Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard ensured her safety in Indian water. On Sunday, the swimming began at 4.22 am from Talaimanar and concluded at 5.32 pm in Dhanushkodi.
Jiya was diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder when she was just over two years old. After a few months, her doctor noticed that her repetitive knocking could be used therapeutically in water sports. It worked wonders, as Jiya appeared to be at ease and developed an interest in swimming.
Jiya Rai previously received the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Purashkar (PMRBP) – 2022, the highest honor bestowed on citizens under 18. She is the youngest and first autistic girl to swim 36 kilometers from the Worli sea link to the Gateway of India in February 2021.
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Jiya holds the open water swimming world record. She is attempting to become the world’s first and youngest para swimmer to swim seven oceans. Jiya became the first para swimmer to swim from Arnala Fort to Vasai Fort in January 2021, covering the 22-kilometer distance in 7 hours and 04 minutes.
She has won 24 gold and one silver medal at the National and State Swimming/Open Water Sea Swimming Championships.
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Vice Admiral Ajendra Bahadur Singh, PVSM, AVSM, VSM, ADC, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command, congratulated Jiya Rai and her parents on this awe-inspiring accomplishment.
