Murshidabad, September 6 (Daily Kiran) : In Murshidabad, an extraordinary swimming competition took place on the morning of September 6, showcasing the world’s longest event of its kind. The competition commenced at 5 AM at the Ahiran Ganga Ghat, featuring 27 participants from Bangladesh and several Indian states. Spanning an impressive 81 kilometers, the swim concluded in Baharampur, where competitors navigated the waters of the Ganges.
Among the participants was Sanvi from Mumbai, who shared her rigorous preparation. “I trained for 13 to 14 hours to compete. My goal was to finish first,” she stated.
Two 13-year-old competitors, Riddhi Bhor and Trisha Verma from Maharashtra, expressed their determination to succeed. “We aim to complete the 81 kilometers and surpass all male participants,” they said.
Fourteen-year-old Arnab Khan from Maharashtra described this event as the pinnacle of his swimming career. “I’m a bit nervous, but I will finish,” he remarked, joining the competition with chants of “Ganapati Bappa Morya.”
Chitta Mukherjee, the local MLA from Jangipur, praised the event, noting the significant participation from Bangladesh. He mentioned that some potential participants were unable to attend due to visa issues but remained hopeful for a safe competition.
Bangladeshi swimmer Shahid expressed gratitude for the warm welcome upon arriving in India. He noted that three participants from Bangladesh competed in the 81-kilometer race, while six took part in a shorter 19-kilometer event.
Rubia Sultana, chairperson of the Murshidabad District Council, highlighted the annual nature of this event. “The locals look forward to this competition, the longest swimming event in the world. Women participate every year, and anyone can join. I’m very proud of the girls. I hope everyone completes the competition successfully,” she said.
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