12-year-old autistic girl swims 36 km in Arabian Sea, makes world record

The 12-year-old autistic girl, daughter of an Indian Navy sailor has created history by swimming 36 km in the Arabian Sea. Also Read | TIME’s emerging leaders feature Bhim Army's Chief, 5 Indian-origin people She swam to create awareness about Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), officials said here on Thursday. The girl, Jiya Rai is herself an ASD case and is the daughter of sailor Madan Rai and swam the distance from Bandra-Worli Sea Link to Gateway of India in 8 hours and 40 min on Wednesday. "This is a new world record as last year, she set a record by becoming the youngest girl with ASD to swim 14 kms in the open sea," said an official. Adding, that the feat would be certified by the concerned authorities. https://twitter.com/DefPROMumbai/status/1362292188856545283?s=20 Jiya is a Class VII student of the Navy Children's School. She dedicated her astounding swimming feat to the cause of raising awareness about ASD. Starting early, she plunged into the cold waters at the BWSL at 3.40 a.m. and reached her destination 36 kms away at 12.30 p.m., welcomed with cheers and clapping by the assembled crowd. After completing her swim, Jiya was felicitated with a trophy by President of Greater Mumbai Amateur Aquatic Association Zarir N. Baliwala and others at a function near the Gateway of India. Also Read | Rail Roko: Farmers stage protests at stations; Railways step up security In February, 2020, Jiya had completed the treacherous swim from Gateway of India to Elephanta Island, a distance of 14 kms, in 3 hours and 27 minutes, creating a world record for being the youngest girl with ASD to swim 14 kms in the open sea. The record-creating event on February 17 was conducted under supervision of Swimming Association of Maharashtra and associated with the FIT India Movement of the Union Ministry of Youth & Sports Affairs.

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