Ms Jiya Rai, an Autism Spectrum Disorder Girl, daughter of Madan Rai, MC-At-Arms II participated in the 77th edition of Open Water Long Distance Swimming Competition organised by Murshidabad Swimming Association in Bhagirathi River on 03 Sep 2023. Only 14 of 24 participants in the 81 km event completed the swim in stipulated 13 h 30 min. Miss Jia completed the swim in 13 h 10 min and is the youngest and the only special child to have done so in the competition’s 77 years history. The competition recognised by Swimming Federation of India started at 0500 h from AhironGhat, Jangipur and finished at 1830 h at Gora Bazar Ghat, Berhampore, West Bengal. The event is acknowledged as World’s Longest National Open Water Swimming Competition.
