No blind swimmer has ever tried to cross the Palk Strait and Ishwari will become the world’s first blind swimmer to achieve the feat.
Talking to media persons at SJAN office , Ishwari said, " I am determined to complete a sea journey of about 38 kilometres from Talai Mannar in Sri Lanka to Dhanushkodi in India. I know that I will face difficult conditions of strong sea currents, high waves and adverse weather conditions but I am ready for that", she eaid.
The expedition
will start from Talai Mannar (Sri Lanka) at 2 am on April 6, 2026 and will end at Dhanushkodi (India) by around 3 pm. The experienced swimmers and support team for this mission include pace
swimmers Ishant Pande, Ravindra Tarare, Bhavi Rajgire, Sandeep Vaidya, Shankar Ashtankar, Vilas Fale and Dr Nirav Pandya. Dr Abhay Rajgire will be present in the medical team while Vijaykumar (National Coach), Jayakumar (Tamil Nadu District Swimming Association) and
international swimmer Sukhdev Dhurve (Maharashtra State Amateur Swimming Association, Mumbai) will be present as Observers.
Every half an hour during her swim, Ishwari will be taking some nutriment. She will be applying petroleum jelly on her body to avoid being disturbed by marine life. A main boat, one speed boat and four kayaks will be with her at all times for her safety during this expedition.
For this historic effort, she has received official permission from the governments of India and Sri Lanka, the Navy Department and the Ministry of External Affairs. Under the able guidance of NIS international swimming coach Sanjay Batwe,
Regarding this campaign, Batwe said, “Ishwari’s determination and hard work are extraordinary. Her efforts will provide new inspiration to disabled athletes” This campaign is being realised due to the financial support provided by citizens, social organisations, industrialists and sports enthusiasts.
Dilip Bhoyar, RJ Jaiswal, Kamlesh Pande, Nirav Pandya and Prakash Nikam were present during the press conference.