‘Sea Hawks’ Swim Team paying tribute to 26/11 victims reaches Kudla
‘Sea Hawks’ -the Swim Team paying tribute to 26/11 victims which commenced from Gateway of India-Mumbai on 26 November at 6:20 pm swam 1031 km non-stop day and night in the Arabian Sea, and reached Tannirbhavi Beach- Kudla on 8 December at 3:56 pm.
Mangaluru: Imagine swimming in the Arabian Sea covering over 1000 km in thirteen days – believe it or not – these six brave men have made it. This swim team who call themselves “The Sea Hawks” led by Wing Commander Paramvir Singh of Indian Air Force (IAF), included Rahul Chiplunkar, a prolific swimmer, 16-year-old Manav Mehta, a swimming prodigy from Navi Mumbai, Sgt (retd) G Narahari, Shrikant Palande of Mumbai Police and LAC (Leading Aircraftman) Vicky Tokas of IAF swam in relay, from the iconic Gateway of India-Mumbai to Mangaluru, covering over 1,031 kilometres, to pay tribute to the victims of 26/11 Mumbai terror attack.
The mixed team of serving and former servicemen, as well as civilians, got into this venture in an attempt to break their record of 433 km by swimming from Mumbai to Mangalauru, a distance of 1,000 km. Each member of the team swam for an hour, to be replaced by another, in a relay. The team expected to complete the journey through the Arabian Sea in 14-15 days but reached Mangaluru two days earlier. Union MoS for Power (independent charge) Piyush Goyal, chairman of All India Anti-Terrorist Front MS Bitta and Amruta Fadnavis, wife of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, had flagged off the swimming expedition on 26 November. On November 26, 2008, 10 Pakistani terrorists attacked various locations in Mumbai, killing 166 people and injuring several others.
The swimmers who started heir journey from Gateway of India- Mumbai on 26 November at 6:20 pm, reached Tannirbhavi Beach on 8 December at 3:56 pm, where they greeted by members of Rotary Club, media persons and citizens of Mangaluru. At a interaction at Hotel Taj Gateway, speaking to Mangalorean.com, Peter Nirmal-General Manager of Taj Gateway Hotel, Mangaluru said, “The Gateway Hotel, Mangaluru is honoured to welcome The Sea Hawks led by Wing Commander Paramvir Singh as they complete their tribute to the victims of 26/11 terror attacks, and who also set a new World record . Paramvir Singh led an expedition driven by open water swimmers on 26th November, 2016, which started from the iconic Gateway of India in Mumbai. The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai lent its support to a cause, that is close to the Group’s heart; this is now being taken up by The Gateway Hotel, Mangaluru as part of the group’s shared emotions.”
Speaking further on this inspiring voyage, Nirmal said, “Wing Commander Paramvir Singh with his troop of open water swimmers commenced the swim in the Arabian Sea, which now culminated at Tannirbhavi Beach, Mangaluru on 8th December 2016 – two days sooner than estimated. With no interlude to the journey spanning across 12 days and nights, Paramvir Singh and his team aimed to cover 1000 kilometres, also breaking the current World Record for the longest open water swim held by The Sea Hawks. 26/11 attacks have been etched in our memories forever where countless people lost lives and loved ones. We are humbled to welcome The Sea Hawks and Wing Commander Paramvir Singh as they complete this amazing journey as their tribute to the countless acts of bravery and selflessness showcased by the victims.”
Also speaking exclusively to Team Mangalorean at Taj Gateway, Magaluru, Wing Commander, Paramvir Singh said, “While no tribute can fill the void left in the lives of their loved ones, we wish to pay our immense gratitude to families who put on a brave face despite the loss and to the unsung heroes who perished in time. This historic swim was to pay tribute not only to the heroes of the 26/11 attack but also to the victims of the Uri and the Pathankot attacks. After the 9/11 attacks, the US began a campaign called, ‘I am American’. After the Paris attacks in November 2015, the French had a similar campaign. Today, as we recall the sacrifice of all those who laid down their lives in the 26/11 attacks, it is time for us to say, ‘I am a Mumbaikar”.
“It was a very pleasant trip, without any problems. We all started at 6:20 pm on 26 November from Gateway of India- Mumbai, and we reached Mangaluru two days earlier than our schedule, on 8 December at 3:56 pm. We swam non-stop day and night, each one of us swimming for an hour on a relay basis. We had close encounters with a variety of fishes, including Jellyfish, but we were all safe. We had a navigator and an escort boat throughout our journey. Reaching Mangaluru we were welcomed by great and friendly people of Mangaluru, and the hospitality provided by the management and staff of Hotel Taj Gateway-Mangaluru was unbelievable and excellent. We would surely visit Mangaluru again- a great town with friendly and courteous people” added Singh.
It is learnt that Sea Hawks have broken two world records- the longest six-person open water swim which was held by America’s Night Trains for 505 km and the longest open-water relay swim by 200 swimmers covering 684 km in 2009. Sea Hawks had also broken their previous year’s record of 433.11 km by crossing 548 km mark at Panjim, Goa.
