Happy birthday Arati Saha!

The present Doodle, shown by Kolkata local and visitor artist Lavanya Naidu, celebrates the 80th birthday celebration of the trailblazing Indian swimmer Arati Saha.

On September 29, 1959, Saha secured an amazing 42 miles from Cape Gris Nez, France to Sandgate, England (a route depicted in the present Doodle) to turn into the first Asian lady to swim over the English Channel—a feat considered the swimming equivalent of climbing Mount Everest.

Arati Saha was born on this day in 1940 in Calcutta, British India (Kolkata, India). At four years of age, she figured out how to swim on the banks of the Hooghly River, and her precocious skill in the water before long pulled in the mentorship of one of India’s top competitive swimmers, Sachin Nag.

Under Nag’s wing, Saha won her first swimming gold medal when she was just five, and it was absolutely not her last.

A record-setting wonder by only 11 years of age, Saha turned into the most youthful part (and one of just four ladies) on the first group to speak to the recently independent in the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki, Finland.

At 18 years old, Saha made her first endeavor to cross the English Channel, and however it was unsuccessful, she never gave up.

A little more than a month later, she conquered miles of churning waves and currents to finish the journey, a notable triumph for ladies across India.

In honor for her enduring achievements, Saha turned into the first-ever female recipient of India’s Padma Shri award in 1960.

Much Thank to you for channeling your passion to inspire ladies all over the place.