Try GOLD - Free
Keeping Hope Afloat
The New Indian Express Thrissur
|December 08, 2024
As instances of death by drowning rise, down in Kerala, Saji Valassery and CV Janaki Amma teach people swimming for free
Arifa VK was 67 years old when she accompanied her grandchildren to a swimming club in Aluva, Kerala. Inspired by what she saw, Arifa expressed her desire to join the students. In 16 days, she learned enough to graduate from her class with honors. She made news when she swam across the Periyar, hijab in place, in 2021. The next year, at the age of 70, she crossed the river again, this time with her hands tied.
Arifa's teacher, Saji Valassery, is known across India for teaching the ABCs of swimming. The 60-year-old, who established Valasseril River Swimming Club in 2010, has trained thousands, even people with disabilities, to swim in the Periyar, completely free of cost. "In 2009, the Thekkady boat tragedy happened. A double decker boat carrying 78 tourists capsized, and 45 people died. That's when I decided to teach people swimming free of cost," says Valassery, who runs a furniture shop.
This story is from the December 08, 2024 edition of The New Indian Express Thrissur.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM The New Indian Express Thrissur
The New Indian Express Thrissur
'Sweden to handhold India to comply with CBAM norms'
SWEDEN will be helping India to develop industry and make more sustainable model that will help India cater to the rules and regulations of Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), confirmed Sara Modig, state secretary, Ministry of Environment & Climate, Government of Sweden.
1 min
November 03, 2025
The New Indian Express Thrissur
“We prepare future leaders who can lead and create meaningful impact”
From pioneering case-based learning to building India’s ‘unicorn factory’, IIM Ahmedabad Director Prof Bharat Bhasker charts the institute’s global vision and role in shaping leaders of tomorrow
2 mins
November 03, 2025
The New Indian Express Thrissur
Groww initial public offer: Founders, early investors to gain up to 5,100%
THE promoters and the early investors of Billionbrains Garage Ventures, the parent of the country’s largest brokerage Groww, are going to make a killing from the %6,632 crore IPO that’s opening on Monday because their acquisition value is only a fraction of the post-issue valuation of the company that’s at $61,735 crore at the upper end of price band. Some of them will be making a windfall gains of up to5,100%, while the lowest return is 1,700%.
1 min
November 03, 2025
The New Indian Express Thrissur
48 J'khand migrants stuck in Tunisia set to return home as firm steps in
THE ordeal of 48 migrant workers from Jharkhand's Giridih, Bokaro and Hazaribagh districts, who have been stranded in Tunisia, North Africa, for the past several months is finally coming to an end, with their return scheduled for November 5 after intervention by Larsen & Toubro (L&T).
1 mins
November 03, 2025
The New Indian Express Thrissur
Two children among 6 dead in Russian blitz on Ukraine
RUSSIA fired a wave of drones and missiles at Ukraine overnight, killing at least six people including two children and cutting power to tens of thousands, officials said Sunday.
1 min
November 03, 2025
The New Indian Express Thrissur
Cong war room in full throttle as campaign hits fever pitch
WITH just days to go before the first phase of the Bihar Assembly elections on November 6, the Congress war room is operating round the clock to finetune its campaign strategy amid alliance challenges and regional complexities.
1 mins
November 03, 2025
The New Indian Express Thrissur
Don threatens military action against Nigeria over killing of Christians
US President Donald Trump threatened on Saturday to send the military into Nigeria with “guns-a-blazing” if Africa’s most populous country does not stem what he described as the killing of Christians by Islamists.
1 min
November 03, 2025
The New Indian Express Thrissur
Chessi, the Argentine prodigy compared to Messi
FOR a period of time sandwiched by the pandemic, young Indian players had a number of eye-catching performances.
2 mins
November 03, 2025
The New Indian Express Thrissur
THE WEALTH OF MERCY
N the delicious interlude between Diwali and Dev Diwali, or Kartik Poornima, that's coming up on November 5, the thoughts of many devotees may frequently dwell on the abundance of Mahalakshmi. So, it seems appropriate to talk a little about her.
4 mins
November 03, 2025
The New Indian Express Thrissur
Ahead of talks, MHA asks Ladakh bodies to submit fresh draft of demands
AHEAD of the talks with Ladakh leaders, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has sought a fresh detailed draft from Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) on their charter of demands.
1 min
November 03, 2025
Listen
Translate
Change font size