43rd edition of V.K. Pahuja Annual Swimming Statistical Bulletin released

Dreams are important but you have to work towards converting your dreams into reality.:  Satish Upadhyay, Vice Chairman, New Delhi Municipal Council 

Khel Today Bureau 
New Delhi: The 43rd Issue of V.K. Pahuja Annual Swimming Statistical Bulletin was released by Shri. Satish Upadhyay, Vice Chairman of New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) at Annex, India International Center at New Delhi. Dr.Bikram Kesharee  Mohanty, Sr.Consultant Cardio- Thoracic & Vascular Surgeon & Shri Rakesh Thapliyal, Senior Sports Journalist were the Guests of Honour at the release function.

The first copy of the Bulletin was presented to Mr.Sajay Bisht, Senior Swimming Coach, SPM Swimming pool, Sports Authority of India.

On this occasion nine leading swimmers were honoured, Uttra Gogai, Titiksha Rawat, Ananya Rawat, Swadesh Mondal, Anshav Jindal, Arzjun Tokas, Ananya Bisht & two leading para swimmers Himanshu Nandal & Shiv Juneja.

Uttra Gogai, Titiksha Rawat, Ananya Rawat, Swadesh Mondal, Anshav Jindal these five swimmers are currently training under SAI- Glenmark Academy at SPM Swimming Pool, Delhi.  Further at the function SAI- Glenmark Academy, Delhi  Senior Women Coach Mrs.Chanda & Mr.Nitin were honored. 

Special mention was made for Delhi’s Kushargra Rawat who is currently in Singapore. Kushagra’s  father received the copy today at the function .

This bulletin has an exclusive interview of a leading Indian swimmer like Apeksha Delyla Farnades, Father & son Jodi (Coach R.K.Singh & Anurag Singh), Renowned Senior Coach, Dr.P Mohan Reddy, Budding Coach Ranveer. Two leading Para swimmers Himanshu Nandal & Shiv Juneja  Special feature on budding swimmers,Ms. Aanika P Bhatia, Nishtha Girish Shetty.

The bulletin also carries tribute to two senior coaches who served Indian swimming over several decades, Shri. Percy Hakim (Maharashtra) & Sudhirendra Kumar Ghosh ( West Bengal).

On the occasion the NDMC Vice Chairperson, Shri. Satish Upadhyay  emphasized on Swimming for health and shared his swimming experiences. On a lighter note he shared with all when he was asked to jump from 10mtrs board, His fear and how he gathered courage to jump in water while taking the name of Lord Bajrang Bali. He further mentioned that swimming timings given in the bulletin will help you target the benchmark you have set for yourself. It will help you achieve your dreams. Dreams are important but you have to work towards converting your dreams into reality.  Shri Satish Upadhyay was full of  appreciation for the hard work of Dr.Meenakshi Pahuja. Her commitment to the sport & for keeping the invaluable literature alive.

For the three children of Mr. V.K. Pahuja, Mr. Priyank Pahuja (Son), Dr. Supriya Pahuja & Ms. Meenakshi Pahuja (daughters) the statistical bulletin is the labor of love, passion & commitment.

The V. K. Pahuja Swimming Statistical Bulletin isin the memory of Late Mr. V. K. Pahuja, who started this bulletin. He was an eminent National Medalist Swimmer and International Water Polo player of his time. Mr. Pahuja was also a highly reputed swimming coach who served in various significant positions, such as FINA International Water Polo Referee, Member of the International Swimming Statistician Association, Official Statistician of the Swimming Federation of India and School Games Federation of India. He always believed in and promoted swimming as a sport for health, pleasure and safety. Till his last breath, he was willing to help, serve and contribute further in this cause.

This edition carries a tribute to the legend – Mr. V. K. Pahuja himself. Besides that, running into 450 pages which are divided into 6 sections, the Bulletin comprises records of local, national and international scenes and comparative studies of the various prominent countries of the world on a swimming map. The book also comprehends a very interesting Reference Section telling us about the participation of the Indian swimmers in various international championships in the last 60 years. It is an excellent reference book for swimming coaches, journalists and aquatic lovers. In short, we can say that it is a worth preserving Reference Book, the only one of its kind in the country.

The Bulletin also contains many interesting articles based on sports, diet, elementary treatment of sports injury, dealing with physically challenged children, health advice such as “The Benefits of Swimming on the Heart”, written by eminent doctors, lecturers and swimmers.It also covers a special article on the 2022 Asian Games where the author, Meenakshi predicts India’s podium finish at the upcoming Asian Games. .

The Bulletin has been compiled by Dr.Meenakshi Pahuja, Associate Professor, Physical Education, Lady Shri Ram College for Women. She is a well-known International swimmer who has won many medals for the country. In 2018 she was awarded the Prestigious Nari Shakti Puraskar.