The 45th Issue of V.K. Pahuja Annual Swimming Statistical Bulletin released by (Hony) Brig Dr Arvind Lal

The V. K. Pahuja Swimming Statistical Bulletin is in 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 promoting 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.

Khel Today Bureau

New Delhi: The 45th Issue of V.K. Pahuja Annual Swimming Statistical Bulletin was released by  (Hony) Brig Dr Arvind Lal, Padma Shri, Executive Chairman, Dr.Lal Path Labs  at Annex, India International Center on Monday at New Delhi.

Shri. Dayanad Singhal Former DCP & Rakesh Thapliyal, Renowned Sports Journalist were special guest at the release function.

The first copy of the Bulletin was presented to Mr.K.V.Sharma, senior most Swimming Coach & former Administrator, Sports Authority of India.

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. & is prestigious Nari Shakti Puraskar Awardee.

On this occasion two Sports Authority of India (SAI) women coaches ( Nari Shakti ko Salam) were celebrated who served for more than three decades.  The two coaches celebrated were Ms Parampal Johal joined Sports Authority of India (SAI) 25th March 1985 & retired as chief swimming coach SAI on 31st July 2020 & Chanda Barua, joined the Sports Authority of India at the Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Swimming Pool Complex in New Delhi in 1991 & she retired as Chief Coach from the Sports Authority of India on 31st  January 2025.

Leading Para swimming Coach, Ranbir was also honoured today along with his two leading para swimmers. Himanshu Nandal, won his first gold medal and setting a national record at his first Para National Swimming Championship in Udaipur, Rajasthan (24–27 March 2022) followed by becoming the First Indian blind swimmer to achieve MQS in 1 event and MET in 2 events for the Paris Paralympics & clocked MQS in 2 events and MET in 2 events for the World Para Swimming Championships 2025 and Aman Sharma, 7th Rank in the 24th Summer Deaflympics, Brazil, 2021 & winner of multiple events at the 25th and 26th National Deaf Junior & Senior championships (2023 & 2025).

Further, SAI- Glenmark Academy at SPM Swimming Pool, Delhi, Coach, Debeshwor along two leading swimmers, Yuvraj Singh who won two silvers & one bronze at  59th Milo/MAS/NSC Malaysia Invitational Age Group Swimming Championships (2024) & Druv Sejwal who won gold medal in 1500, 800 & 400mtrs at 49th Junior National Aquatic Championships-2023 were honored.

This bulletin has an exclusive interview of lifetime Arjuna Awardee, Murlikant Petkar, two para swimmers Himanshu Nandal & Aman Sharma. Special article on two senior women Coaches, Ms. Parampal & Ms. Chanda Barua.

Several young swimmers, parents and swimming coaches and sports lovers were also present at the function.

On the occasion, (Hony) Brig. Dr. Arvind Lal, based on his rich experience, advised all to take out special time for health & fitness, which will help them to be in good physical shape and keep doctors away! He emphasized that swimming is one of the best sports for overall fitness. He shared swimming is his favorite sport and that he was also fond of watching it it on TV especially during Olympics and other sports events. He had loved watching Michael Phelps. He wished that popularity of Indian swimming would grow and swimmers also became medal winners in international swimming competitions. He fondly remembered Mr.V.k.Pahuja & commend his daughter, Dr Meenakshi Pahuja, for her commitment to preserving and advancing this legacy with devotion and academic rigor. This 45th Edition, with its tribute to Shri Pahuja and rich documentation of national and international data, reflects the true spirit of sportsmanship and scholarly excellence.

He wished may this publication continue to illuminate the path for aspiring swimmers and contribute to India’s growing presence in the global aquatic arena.

Special guest representing the sports journalist community today at function Shri. Rakesh Thapliyal recalled how Pahuja Sahib use to come on his scooter to give press releases and request journalists to print and promote swimming & swimmers. He further shared how sports journalists used to eagerly wait for the new edition of the swimming statistical bulletin. He further added swimming & athletics could help India to be in top 10 in Olympics if India starts winning medals in most categories of swimming & athletics events.

Dr.Meenakshi Pahuja appealed from this platform today to Dr. Arvind Lal, Executive Chairman, Dr.Lal Path Labs that keeping in mind his rich experiences, Dr.Lal Path labs is trusted name in country and he should come up specialize test to help not only swimmers but Indian athletes, coaches and parents based scientific testing to answer why recovery after training is low? What is the hormonal deficiency or lacking in nutrition?  Which vitamin lacks why performance is stagnated. She further said it will be a big help when fast track testing and authentic results are available and Indian sports need the scientific backup more to ensure no early burn out and India can rise in medal tally.

Dr. Arvind lal assured his support for Indian sportspersons. For the three children of Mr. V.K. Pahuja, Mr. Priyank Pahuja (Son), Dr. Supriya Pahuja & Dr. Meenakshi Pahuja (daughters) the statistical bulletin is the labor of love, passion, commitment & selfless service to the sport.

The V. K. Pahuja Swimming Statistical Bulletin is in 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 promoting 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 460 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 90 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.