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Endurance and Perseverance Matter

By Pushpa Raghuram, Bangalore

The other evening, I was going by car along Sanky tank (the present name) to visit a dear friend in R.M.V. Extension. Since I was not driving, my eyes could freely wander around. I observed the picturesque tank which looked clean from afar, the greenery around, paths for walker to walk on and benches to sit and muse for a while in case they wanted to chill. It was alluring and attractive during the twilight hour.

When the car moved forward flashing head lights, my mind turned to the past, flashing memories of my pre-teen activities. Did I really walk to this tank from Seshadripuram at 5am every morning? As I asked myself this question, my memory reminded me that I had done so under the kind guidance of Shri Chakravarthy Iyengar.

A home tutor, Shri Chakravarthy Iyengar used to offer classes in his house for children of our locality. I was one of ten who attended the evening batch to learn Kannada.

But how was he responsible for the 5am walks? Shri Chakravarthy Iyengar had voluntarily taken up the responsibility of waking up a group of us as the sun was raising and walking with us to Tank Bund Road that led to Sanky tank. Why? So that we could learn swimming. The amiable swimming teacher there, taught us free-style, butterfly, breast stroke, back stroke swimming, diving, etc. for just Rs. 5/- a month. We actually did this for a couple of years.

The driver stopped the car as we had reached my friend’s house; my reminiscence too pressed the pause button.

It was around 9 p.m. by the time I got back home after the visit. I had my dinner and drank some water.

As an Octogenarian, more than food and water, I need my sleep, in which I invariably wallow in my unrealized dreams. When I am up and about, I am entertained by my memories which effortlessly toss me across time zones and act like multivitamin capsules.

I tried to relax after my dinner. Physically, I could. Mentally, it was a no, no. My mind picked up the thread from where it had paused.

When and where did I hear about swimming/swimmers all those decades ago? I started ruminating.

Did I not participate in a couple of swimming competitions organised by my school and the Bangalore City Corporation (BCC) for under-15 years age group? Oh yes! In the school competition, I had gotten a certificate for third prize while it was the First Prize in the BCC competition.

I went to my cupboard, took out a box, in which I had preserved my precious prizes of yore. I found what I was looking for. The Medal with the emblem of the BCC. Pleased with myself about my past success stories, I sat on my sofa, switched on the TV and started surfing channels - Kannada, Telugu, English…

English channel. English Channel! A quote, a place, a person catapulted me to the past.

At the beginning, it appeared like a puzzle. I started organising my thoughts under place, time and people. Here unfolds my narration.

Place: My first experience with reference to the English Channel was sudden and very unexpected. It happened in Stuttgart, Germany at the entrance of the TV tower.

Time: Probably Oct 1971? More than half a century ago! A gentleman was at the ticket counter. I was standing right behind him, awaiting my turn. Having gotten his ticket, he turned around and stopped for a moment. Seeing me in my Indian attire with a bindi on my forehead, he greeted me. I think I smiled and returned his greeting.

Person: He introduced himself as MIHIR SEN. When he did not see an iota of awe or recognition on my face, may be to help me, he mentioned that he was from Calcutta and had swum across the English Channel a few years ago. Did I hear that right? I was bowled over for a moment and didn’t know how to react. I must have mumbled something to the effect that I had also been recently to England. But then, may be, after regaining my composure, I would have added that I was extremely pleased to meet him. Oh yes, I had even clicked a photo of his. While I was in a daze after meeting a star who had brought accolades to India, I had to leave thereafter as my guide was urging me to move further.

A lot of time passed after that brief meeting. My hobbies had taken a back seat. Hobbies of my children, and then my grandchildren, took priority while I was busy sharing my time between family and work.

Memories of my second experience flashed in my mind.

Place: A swimming pool in a gated community.

Time: May be 15 years ago.

(The author with Ms. Kirti Chalam)

I was accompanying my grandchild to her swimming lessons one day. After the class, I could not interact with the teacher as she got busy with the next batch. When I enquired with my daughter about her, I was stunned to hear her plans.

Person: The swimming teacher’s name was Mrs. Seetha Rao. She was planning to swim across the English Channel during July 2009. She was participating in a relay team of six people from Karnataka, three men and three women. What a feat to dream, plan and work towards!

Place: Guess, where I met the third person of my narration! At home in my place.

Time: A month ago. She had come to see my daughter to discuss about the 3 Cs of sustainability: Conservation, Community and Circular Economy. During our conversation, we learnt that she was an “Endurance Athlete.” Curious, we asked her to elaborate. She explained that she was an endurance cyclist and an endurance swimmer. She then added that, during June 24, she had participated in a relay team, which had crossed the English Channel, swimmers all.

Name: Ms. Kirti Chalam.

When I finished doing this puzzle in my mind, I wanted to share my experiences with these luminaries with you all, my friends.

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