Meenakshi Pahuja to Swim 18-20 Km in the Open Sea from Revas Jetty to Gateway of India on Friday at 5 AM

Meenakshi Pahuja.

Khel Today Bureau

Mumbai: Renowned international open-water swimmer Ms. Meenakshi Pahuja will undertake a challenging 18-20-kilometer swim from Revas Jetty to the Gateway of India on Friday, December 6, 2024, starting at 5 AM (tentative).

This ambitious journey honors the memory of her late father, Mr. V.K. Pahuja, a respected swimming coach at Modern School, Delhi, who inspired her passion for swimming and nurtured countless young talents.

Supporting her during this endeavor is a skilled escort team comprising Abhinav Kant Chaturvedi,  Kirish Gandhi, and Faisal Siddiqui.

Late Shri. V K Pahuja and her daughter Meenakshi Pahuja.

Honoring a Legacy
Meenakshi Pahuja’s achievements as a three-time national champion and an international open-water swimmer are rooted in the values instilled by her father late shri. V K Pahuja. Reflecting on his influence, she said,
“My father’s legacy is the foundation of all my achievements. His guidance taught me the true meaning of perseverance and commitment.”

Advocate for Environmental Awareness
As a strong advocate for environmental conservation, Ms. Pahuja aims to raise awareness about the growing issue of water pollution through this swim. She appeals to all citizens to respect and protect water bodies, emphasizing, “Water is a powerful element of nature that sustains life. Let us pledge not to pollute it and take steps to save our natural resources for future generations.”

About Ms. Meenakshi Pahuja

Born on September 5, 1977, Ms. Pahuja has carved a distinguished career in Indian swimming, transitioning from competitive pool events to challenging open-water marathons. Her remarkable milestones include:

– Winning a medal at the 1996 Asia Pacific Age Group Swimming Championships in Pusan, South Korea.
– Becoming the first Indian to complete iconic swims such as Key West (Florida), Lake Zürich (Switzerland), and the Tex Robertson Highland Lakes Challenge (Texas).
– Successfully swimming the Apolima Strait (Samoa) in 11 hours and 30 minutes (2018) and Lake Constance (Germany), 11.6 km (2018).
– Securing podium finishes at the 2012 Labuan Sea Cross (Malaysia) and the 2014 Manhattan Island Marathon Swim (New York).
– Being featured three times in the *Limca Book of Records* for her extraordinary achievements, including as a consultant for its sports section.

Ms. Pahuja is also the author of the 38th edition of ‘V.K. Pahuja Swimming Statistical Bulletin (2018)’ and has received accolades such as the ‘Special Award by Delhi Sports Journalist Association’ for her open-water swimming achievements (2019).

In addition to her swimming accolades, she is a life member of the Physical Education Foundation of India, Director of the Indian Association of Sports For All, and a member of the Advisory Board of the International Health & Fitness Association.

Beyond swimming, Ms. Pahuja is an accomplished academic and researcher. She presented a paper on para sports at the International Conference on Olympic and Indian Values in Global Context and another on swimming for lifestyle management at the International Conference on Sports for All. The latter was published in the International Journal of Fitness, Health, Physical Education & Iron Games.

She serves as an Associate Professor at Lady Shri Ram College for Women (University of Delhi), where she inspires countless students. She also actively supports social causes, including menstrual health awareness, disability rights, and environmental conservation. Through her YouTube channel, ‘Saachi Baat’, Ms. Pahuja addresses impactful societal issues, aiming to inspire positive change and encourage dialogue around pressing concerns.

December 6 Swim Event

This 18-20 km swim symbolizes teamwork, resilience, and Ms. Pahuja’s enduring commitment to excellence. She seeks to inspire athletes across the nation to take up open-water swimming, emphasizing the unique challenges posed by temperature, wind, and aquatic life, including jellyfish and water snakes.

Media and Public Invitation
The public is invited to witness this incredible feat of endurance and cheer Ms. Pahuja as she approaches the Gateway of India. Together, let us celebrate her journey and pledge to protect the environment and preserve the natural beauty of our water bodies.