Bengaluru-based IT professionals Danish Abdi and Vrushali Prasade have scripted history by becoming the first couple to complete a side-by-side open-water swim from Sri Lanka to India through the historic Ram Setu route as reported by NDTV.
According to NDTV, the couple undertook the challenging expedition on May 7, swimming nearly 32 kilometres across the Palk Strait.
Their journey began from Talaimannar in Sri Lanka at approximately 4:30 am and concluded at Dhanushkodi in Tamil Nadu around 3:15 pm. The demanding swim took a total of 10 hours and 45 minutes to complete.
Videos shared from the expedition captured the swimmers battling harsh sea conditions throughout the journey. NDTV reported that the couple faced rough waves, changing wind patterns, and strong ocean currents that repeatedly pushed them away from their intended route.
One of the clips documented Danish Abdi preparing to enter the dark waters before sunrise, while other visuals showed both swimmers navigating turbulent waters for hours before finally reaching Indian shores.
The swim was carried out under extensive safety arrangements. According to NDTV, support boats, paramedics, and personnel from the Indian Coast Guard accompanied the duo throughout the crossing to ensure their safety during the challenging open-water expedition.
"The day we swim from Sri Lanka to India and become the first ever couple to do so! All our training and preparation will be tested on this swim, and we feel we're ready for it," the video was captioned on Instagram.
The achievement has received widespread appreciation online, with social media users praising the couple’s determination, endurance, and teamwork.
NDTV noted that the accomplishment is particularly remarkable because both Abdi and Prasade work as software professionals and reportedly began serious swimming training only four years ago.
The couple also used social media platforms to document their entire journey and inspire aspiring athletes and adventure enthusiasts. Their successful Sri Lanka-to-India crossing is now being regarded as a landmark achievement in Indian open-water swimming.
According to NDTV, the expedition has established a new benchmark as the first recorded instance of a couple completing the demanding Ram Setu route swim together side by side, highlighting both athletic perseverance and meticulous preparation.
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