World Water Day: Water hero' swims against tide at Aluva

Kochi: The World Water Day on Wednesday  saw the emergence of a new water hero  at Aluva. T.N. Radhakrishnan,  48,  born with disability in the  right arm, proved stronger than the rest  by swimming across Periyar  river using his left hand.

A senior clerical staffer  in the Aluva taluk office,  Radhakrishnan, whose right hand is paralysed, swam from Advaita ashram ghat to Manappuram ghat comprising the widest and deepest section of the river covering 600 metres in 20 minutes.

He  had approached Saji Valasserry, a swimming coach, to learn swimming. But Valasserry at first poured cold water on his plan citing his age and his  disability.  But Radhakrishnan kept on visiting the training spot everyday and the coach finally  yielded.  Radhakrishnan surprised everyone by learning the skill within 21 days of joining the coaching class.   

“Although I used to remain in water with the help of others since childhood,  I had the confidence of swimming with one arm,”  Radhakrishnan said.    He  decided to swim across the river after developing the ability to float in the water for one hour at a stretch.

Hundreds of people, including Aluva tahsildar Sandhya Devi, Advaita ashram head Swami Sivaswarupanada and   councillors of Aluva municipality,  witnessed his breath-taking feat.   Valassery said it was an inspiration for all.  

Radhakrishnan and his wife Sandhya hailing from Thazhikkattukara near Aluva have two children: Athira and Ananthakrishnan.  He was also chairman of the students’ union of St. Paul’s college, Kalamassery,  in 1988.