KOCHI: At a time when open water swimming has turned out to be a daunting challenge for many of us, a vision impaired 12-year-old student has set a  unique record by swimming across the Periyar river in the presence of hundreds of cheering crowds.

The cent per cent vision impaired who lost his eyesight at the age of four following retinal detachment, dived into the water near Aluva Ashramam and swam through the chilling water, unfazed by the rain-laden clouds gathered over the sky and the morning drizzle, and fathoming the depth of the river at various areas by his ‘vision,’ not sight. This is the first time that a vision impaired juvenile swimmer is crossing the Periyar without the aide of any swimming gadget.

Navaneeth M S, eighth standard student of SNDP Higher Secondary School, Aluva, who was initiated into world of water a couple of months ago has tested his mettle on the 12th day of swimming lesson by swimming across the river with the help of his coach, said Saji Valasherril, coach of the student.
 

“Though there was strong current in the river following the monsoon showers and warning against venturing into the river in the wake of heavy showers in the catchment areas of Bhoothathankettu Barrage, we decided to go ahead with the programme as he was confident enough to take up the challenge with ease. He finished the task in just 15 minutes and I had given him directions and the details of the destination, Manappuram, where he had to climb up on the sand shore, said Saji, who had trained around 550 children and helped 157 to cross the river.

Speaking to Express, Sunilkumar, a native of Thuruth in Aluva who has been working as pump operator with Irrigation department, said “we had tried our level best to get him his sight back and the doctors who treated him said there is only very remote chance for him getting back his sight as the retina of his eye got detached from its attachments to the underlying tissue within the eye.

However, we have been providing him regular treatment on the direction of doctors. Besides, he has also been imparting lessons on various musical instruments like tabala and keyboard, apart from training on blind cricket and swimming. His achievement should realise the parents of other students with disabilities and normal students on the need to acquire life saving skills like swimming in one’s life irrespective of disabilities or not.

Navaneeth, who was very happy after the event, said he likes to take up adventures and more challenges in his life, despite his shortcomings. 
Source: http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/kochi/Visually-Impaired-boy-Sets-Record-by-Swimming-Across-Periyar/2015/06/23/article2881483.ece1