44th edition of ‘V.K. Pahuja Annual Swimming Statistical Bulletin’ released

Khel Today Bureau 

New Delhi: The 44th Issue of V.K. Pahuja Annual Swimming Statistical Bulletin was released by A gallantry award winning ex-IAF officer, Air Commodore (Dr) Ashminder Singh Bahal at Annex, India International Center here on Sunday.

Col.R S Bhanwala, Arjuna Awardee (Rowing) and Bhanu Sachdeva, Arjuna Awardee (Swimming) were the Guests of Honour at the release function.

The first copy of the Bulletin was presented to Mr.P.D.Dutta, Senior most diving official of India. On this occasion SAI- Glenmark Academy at SPM Swimming Pool, Delhi, Head Coach, Partha Pratim Majumder & Asistatant coach Mr.Nitin along six leading swimmers from different states of India were honoured. The swimmers honored included Aryan Vernakar, Lucky Ali, Raunak, Suvranshini Priyadarshani, Dhriti Aherwal and Titiksha Rawat. These six swimmers are currently training SAI- Glenmark Academy at SPM Swimming Pool, Delhi.

This bulletin has an exclusive interview of Indian swimmer, Aditya Jitendera Desai, Water polo player, Bhagesh Jagdish Kuthe, Triathlete, Laikhuram Bijenkumar Singh & Telheiba Soram, Ironman, Saikhom Bishworjit Singh & Laikhuram Biten Singh & Budding Swimmers Aayushi Kailash Akhade & shlok Rahul Pandav.

Exclusive interviews of two Leading Indian Coaches Mr. Neelkanth Tukaramakhade & Prasanta Karmakar are also published. Several young swimmers, parents and swimming coaches were also present at the function.

 Air Commodore (Dr) Ashminder Singh Bahal, emphasized on character building through sports and appreciated swimming as a sport for health. Former Vice President of the Swimming Federation of India, Shri. Balraj Sharma remembered Pahuja Sahib & his selfless service to the sport and how all used to eagerly wait for the new edition so all can keep pace with all updates on Indian swimming as well as International scenario.

The current Vice president of Swimming Federation of India, Mr. Rajkumar along with both the Arjuna Awardees, Col. RS Bhanwala & Bhanu Sachdeva mentioned the importance & utility of this unique swimming bulletin. The timings given in the bulletin will help swimmers/ coaches target the benchmark that they have set for themselves. It will help them achieve their dreams along with planning the next level of achievement.  All of the dias were full of appreciation for the hard work of Dr.Meenakshi Pahuja. Her commitment to the sport & for keeping the invaluable literature alive.

Representing the sports journalist community today at function Shri. Rakesh Thapliyal, Editor-in-Chief, Khel Today, 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.

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. It also covers a special article on the upcoming PARIS olympics titled, ” Paris Olympics 2024

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. She is also a prestigious Nari Shakti Puraskar Awardee.