If you are a first-time visitor to Maindipur village under Biridi block in Jagatsinghpur district, you could be forgiven for believing that someone has drowned in the village pond and a search operation is underway. But here, the village children are learning how to swim. A trainer is guiding them.
The objective of this swimming camp is not to prepare them for any swimming contest, but to make them good swimmers so that they, if, God forbid, face drowning-like situations at any stage of life, can at least save their lives.
The frequent drowning incidents with children being the victims in most cases forced swimmer Santanu Jena to think about doing something for children. Without giving a second thought, he transformed his thought into action. Welcoming his decision, the members of Janardan Sishu Udyan, Maindipur Pathagara Committee and some villagers, a swimming camp was launched.
A poster inviting candidates to learn swimming was put up in the village. And the number of applicants crossed 50 now. After enrolment, the children were taken to Sriram Sagar, the village pond, and there Santanu gave them some tips and the training session began.
These days, the children are learning the nitty gritty of swimming. Fifteen days on, and the young swimmers are confident enough to face any eventualities.
“Since my childhood, I had grown up with aquaphobia. At the thought of going into water, I would break out in cold sweat. I didn’t even want to enroll myself. Later, my family members convinced me to learn to swim by giving me examples of how children are drowning,” said Subham Bhoi, a student.
The organisers were also happy with the response received from the villagers and children.
“Every village has a pond. So such type of camp should be organised there to check the drowning cases,” observed Dr Subha Das, organiser.
“The step is a welcoming one. In a state where ‘Sadhaba Puas’(marine traders of ancient Kalinga) used to voyage to foreign countries like Java and Sumatra, it will be unfortunate if a child drowns because of not being a swimmer,” said Jagatsinghpur Zilla Parishad member Chandrasekhar Das.
Expressing his satisfaction, trainer Santanu said, “As we are living in coastal districts, all of us should have swimming skills. As children are learning Karata and Judo, parents should also allow their children to learn swimming.”