Udupi: Polio-stricken man swims 5 km with both hands tied

The Hindu

• Prakash Kharvi covers St. Mary’s Island-Malpe beach stretch in seven hours

Udupi, 08 February 2011: Although Prakash Kharvi’s right leg is affected by polio, his sheer willpower and determination saw him swim against the rough waves of the Arabian Sea for 5 km handcuffed behind his back from St. Mary’s Island to Malpe beach here on Monday.

 

A SHOW OF STAMINA: Prakash Kharvi being felicitated at the Malpe beach in Udupi on Monday.

 

There was an outpouring of joy, when he reached the beach after swimming for seven hours.

 

The cries of “Prakash Kharvi ki jai” rent the air and crackers were burst. His father Soma Kharvi could not hold back his tears on his son’s feat and kissed Mr. Kharvi on his cheeks.

 

Everyone on the beach rushed to see him. Many people garlanded him on his feat.

 

Earlier in the day, police officer of Kota police station Mahesh Prasad handcuffed Mr. Kharvi at the St. Mary’s Island at 7 a.m. Mr. Kharvi reached the Malpe beach at 2 p.m.

 

Mr. Kharvi said he had practised for three months before taking up his feat today.

 

“I was frightened. It took a long time to swim to the beach because of the rough waves. I must have swum five to six km extra because of the waves and wind. My only wish is that I get a government job,” he said.

 

However, this was not the only feat to his credit. Mr. Kharvi swam 25 km in the sea for four-and-a-half hours from Hungarcutta to Malpe on December 31, 2007. He swam 56 km from Gangolli to Kodibengre in seven hours on December 31, 2008.

 

Mr. Kharvi had suffered an attack of polio on his right leg when he was just nine-month old. He studied only up to Class 7. He was attracted to swimming in his childhood.

 

Mr. Soma Kharvi said his son had been training himself by tying his hands behind the back for a year.

 

“I would be the happiest father if the Government gives my son a job. We taught him swimming when he was a child.”

 

Businessman Pramod Madhwaraj said: “Prakash has shown that he has much more ability than normal persons. He is the pride of the fishermen’s community. The Government should give him a job.”