Google remembered legendary Indian swimmer Arati Saha by dedicating Thursday’s doodle to her on 80th birthday. Saha was the first Asian woman to swim across the English Channel on September 29, 1959. She covered a distance of 67.5 km from Cape Gris Nez, France to Sandgate, England in 16 hours and 20 minutes. Upon reaching the English side of the Channel, she hoisted the Indian flag.
Later, during several interviews, Saha mentioned that she was inspired by another long distance swimmer, Mihir Sen, who was the first Indian to swim the English Channel (in 1958). Following her spectacular feat, she was awarded the Padma Shri in 1960, becoming the first Indian sportswoman to be given the honour.
In 1999, the Indian postal department celebrated her accomplishment by unveiling a Rs 3 postage stamp in her name. Saha also represented India in the 1952 Helsinki Olympics at a tender age of 11.
Saha was born in a middle-class Bengali family in Kolkata. Google doodle is a depiction of Saha swimming along with a compass and a view of the ocean, in reference to her journey across the English Channel. It was illustrated by fellow Kolkata native, artist Lavanya Naidu. Saha passed away in 1994 after battling acute jaundice and encephalitis.
