Ms Jiya Rai, an Twelve year old daughter of Madan Rai, Master Chief at Arms II, posted in INS Shikra, created history by swimming from Bandra-Worli Sea Link to the Gateway of India in just 8 hours and 40 minutes. Daughter of naval sailor Madan Rai, Jiya covered a distance of 36 km to spread awareness about Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Jiya is on the autism spectrum and does not let its varying challenges hinder her dreams. Instead, Jiya has taken up the responsibility to spread more awareness around autism.

The minor created history on Wednesday, February 17 2021, as she started her journey from Bandra-Worli Sea Link at 3:50 am and finished her swim at the Gateway of India at 12:30 pm.

The swimming event was conducted by the Swimming Association of Maharashtra, a recognised body of Swimming Federation of India. The event was also associated with FIT India Movement by Ministry of Youth and Sports Affair.

Jiya was also awarded by the President of Greater Mumbai Amateur Aquatic Association (GMAAA), Zarir N Baliwala, at the Gateway of India, for her spectacular performance. Jiya was awarded for her spectacular performance

Earlier created a world record on 15 Feb 2020 by becoming the fastest special girl to swim 14 Km in open water. The VI standard student of Navy Children School (NCS), Mumbai swam from Elephanta Island to Gateway of India, a distance of 14 Km in 03 hours 27 minutes and 30 seconds. The solo swimming event was conducted under the supervision of the Swimming Association of Maharashtra, an authorized body of the Swimming Federation of India.

This extraordinary achievement of Ms Jiya is understood to have qualified for registration in India Book of Records, Asia Book  & Limca Book of Records for youngest and first special girl in the world to swim a distance of 14 Km in 03 hrs 27 minutes and 30 sec  in the open water.

The young champion has come a long way since she was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Delay in Speech at a tender age of about two years. Based on her doctor’s advise that her repetitive knocking, a characteristic of her diagnosis could be purposely applied in water sport as therapy she was initiated in swimming. The water therapy worked wonders and Ms Jiya developed a passion for swimming. The parents were able to nurture this passion and help her prepare for various competitions by overcoming many odds.

On 23 Feb 20, Ms Jiya was  felicitated with a Certificate and Trophy for this record breaking achievement, by Mr Abhay Dadhe , Associate Vice President of Swimming Federation of India at an award ceremony held at K R Kama hall,  Mumbai.

Ms Jiya Rai, a 12 yr old daughter of a naval sailor, swam from Bandra-Worli Sea Link to Gateway of India Mumbai on 17 Feb to raise awareness about Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Jiya who herself was diagnosed with ASD, swam the distance of 36 km in 8hr 40 min. pic.twitter.com/bKm4ARVk4X

— SSBCrackExams (@SSBCrackExams) February 18, 2021