In a first, woman swims across Vembanad lake

ALAPPUZHA: For the first time, a 20-year-old woman swam across the mighty Vembanad Lake on Sunday.  Malu Shaika from Athani near Aluva in Ernakulam district took four hours and 20 minutes non-stop to cover nine kilometres in her debut attempt. She swam past the distance in a calculated manner accompanied by her trainer Saji Valasseril as motor boats of cheer men followed. The girl had no inheritance to claim in swimming, but she made it with eight-month dedicated efforts in river Periyar. "We had won," she said holding her drenched arms up. "I did it for all women who shy away from the public space. I will continue my efforts to take out the best in me as a swimmer."

Her mission was flagged off at Kumarakom by Kottayam district panchayat member Jayesh Mohan at 7.20 am, and Mayamaju, the local panchayat vice-president, received her at Muhamma around 11.40 am. An insurance policy advisor in Aluva, she had shifted to Holy Matha Convent, Athani, after her parents parted ways and remarried. Mr Valasseril said she was working hard on Periyar waters for two hours every day for the last eight months. “And now my hard work has paid off,” she said.