Swimming Statistical Bulletin Released

In the difficult times of pandemic, the entire world is trying its best to emerge out of the crisis situation. The world of sports also saw a standstill over two months. Early June our country, India saw from complete lockdown to unlock phase one. The reopening with SOP’s and new normal norms gave us immense hope to release the bulletin on time.

Surely, Indian swimming is at loss with all swimming facilities under lock to date. Be it our eight “B” Tokyo Olympics qualifiers, aspirants who still eye qualifying, our national swimmers, national swimming calendar,  our state of the art swimming pool. Thousands of swimming pools remain close over three months now. leaving an impact livelihood as well for coaches, lifeguards, and facility management staff at each pool. 

Entire swimming fraternity is at loss.

It is not less than a miracle that the most awaited annual publication is released on time. The scheduled date of release from the last 40 years is 23rd June.  

The 40th edition of V.K. Pahuja Annual Swimming Statistical Bulletin was released by Smt. Maneka Sanjay Gandhi, Member of Parliament at her residence, Ashoka Road ( Today, 23rd June’2020) at New Delhi.   

 On this occasion the only three children of the founder of swimming Statistical Bulletin, Mr.V.K.Pahuja were present. 

40th edition is exclusive and it features eight exclusive interviews. This year it features, Shri. Rajeev Nair, Vice president, SFI, Mr.Nihar Ameen, first Dronacharya Awardee (2015), One of the leading women coach, Smita Desai Divgikar ( Arjuna Awardee, 1978).

 The fastest couple of Indian swimming, Virdhawal Khahde & Rujuta Khade, and peep into their personal life too, Leading Indian swimmer, Advait Page & Budding Indian swimmers, Bhavya Sachdeva, Prachi Tokas & Kanya Nayyar. 

For the three children of Mr. V.K. Pahuja, Mr. Priyank Pahuja (Son), Dr. Supriya Pahuja & Ms. Meenakshi Pahuja (daughters) the statistical bulletin is the labor of love, passion, selfless service & commitment.

 The V. K. Pahuja Swimming Statistical Bulletin is in the memory of Late Mr. V. K. Pahuja, who started this bulletin. He was an eminent National Medalist Swimmer and International Water Polo player of his time. Mr. Pahuja was also a highly reputed swimming coach who served in various significant positions, such as FINA International Water Polo Referee, Member of the International Swimming Statistician Association, Official Statistician of the Swimming Federation of India and School Games Federation of India. He always believed in and promoted swimming as a sport for health, pleasure, and safety. Till his last breath, he was willing to help, serve, and contribute further to this cause.

This edition carries a tribute to the legend – Mr. V. K. Pahuja himself. Besides that, running into 440 pages which are divided into 6 sections, the Bulletin comprises records of local, national, and international scenes and comparative studies of the various prominent countries of the world on swimming maps. The book also comprehends a very interesting Reference Section telling us about the participation of the Indian swimmers in various international championships in the last 60 years. It is an excellent reference book for swimming coaches, journalists, and aquatic lovers. In short, we can say that it is worth preserving Reference Book, the only one of its kind in the country.

The Bulletin also contains many interesting articles based on sports, diet, elementary treatment of sports injury, dealing with physically challenged children, health advice such as “The Benefits of Swimming on the Heart”, written by eminent doctors, lecturers and swimmers. It also has a special article on the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, featuring our eight Indian swimmers who have already qualified ” B” cut.   

Further, I take immense pride in sharing it’s just been one year that we launched our website & I am extremely happy to share the retrospective journey of Indian swimming, through literature is slowly getting there along with the best Indian performance, highlights of all 40 publications, interesting & informative articles & adventure section, etc.

Its work in progress & I Hope it becomes one of the most resourceful sites of Indian swimming.

The Bulletin has been compiled by Meenakshi Pahuja, Assistant Professor of Physical Education, Lady Shri ram College for Women. She is a well-known International swimmer & was awarded the Prestigious Nari Shakti Award.