With hands tied, class 7 student swims across Vembanad Lake, eyes world record

Kottayam: Kashinath Rajeev, a Class 7 student of St Xavier's Public School, Pothanikkad, achieved a remarkable feat by swimming 11 kilometres across Vembanad Lake with both his hands tied.

The son of Rajeev and Prasija of Pallarimangalam in Ernakulam, Kashinath completed the challenging swim in just 2 hours and 21 minutes. The swim began at 7.25 am from the Kumbalakari jetty in Cherthala, Alappuzha, and concluded at Vaikom Beach in Kottayam.

With his sights set on a world record, the young swimmer reached his destination at 9.46 am, completing the 11-kilometre crossing in just 2 hours and 21 minutes. The event was officially flagged off by Rajitha, a member of the Chennam-Pallippuram Panchayat.

Ahead of the attempt, Kashinath underwent rigorous training in the strong currents of the Muvattupuzha River under the guidance of Biju Thankappan of the Kothamangalam Academic Club.

Later in the day, a meeting was held at the beach to facilitate the young achiever. Municipal Chairman Abdul Salam Ravuthar inaugurated the function. D Ranjith Kumar, Opposition Leader in the municipality, presided over. Ward Councillor Reji Mol, Pradeep Malavika, Vaikom Fire and Rescue Officer P Shine, Abdul Kalam Azad, T Shaji Kumar, and Programme Coordinator AP Ansil also spoke