BENGALURU: Bengaluru-based couple Danish Abdi and Vrushali Prasade created history by becoming the first pair to complete a side-by-side open-water swim from Sri Lanka to India along the historic Ram Setu route.The duo covered nearly 32 kilometres across the Palk Strait on May 7, beginning their swim from Talaimannar in Sri Lanka at around 4:30 am and reaching Dhanushkodi in Tamil Nadu at approximately 3:15 pm. The challenging swim took 10 hours and 45 minutes to complete.Following the feat, the couple shared their excitement on Instagram, drawing widespread appreciation and congratulatory messages from social media users.After completing the swim, the couple posted on Instagram saying, “We did it! Sri Lanka to India. 10 hrs 45 mins. Tough day out in the water. More details to follow after a 12hr no alarm sleep.”The couple later posted, “Still cannot believe how far we’ve come in just a matter of 4 years when we started learning to swim!This swim was all heart, it was each others company that gave us the emotional & mental strength to keep going, and it was all thanks to the training and preparation given to us by our coach Satishmata1 and Yaqoob sir that enabled us to be equipped enough for taking on this mammoth of a challenge!We’ve been flooded with so many comments and DMs, wishing us luck, congratulating us, and honestly, we’re overwhelmed, if only we could reply to each and every one and let y’all know how all of you had kept us going for those 11 hours almost.”The swim was conducted under strict safety supervision, with support boats, paramedics and personnel from the Indian Coast Guard accompanying the swimmers throughout the journey.Their achievement has received widespread praise online, with many social media users applauding the couple’s endurance, preparation and teamwork in completing the demanding cross-border swim.One user wrote, ” Huge congratulations!! Unknowingly you have inspired many of us, now more people will follow your path.”Another wrote,” This an amazing level of perseverance and determination! Kudos to you too! Proud proud.”“Congratulations,You guys proved, nothing is impossible, ” another user commented.
