Arati Saha was an Indian-Bengali long-distance swimmer, best known for becoming the first Asian woman to swim across the English Channel on 29 September 1959 at nineteen years old.
16 Facts About Arati Saha
2.
Arati Saha was born in Kolkata, India as the second of three children and the first of two daughters to Panchugopal Saha in 1940.
3.
Arati Saha's father was an employee in the armed forces.
4.
Arati Saha came second only to Dolly Nazir of Bombay.
5.
Arati Saha won silver in 100 metres freestyle and 200 metres breaststroke, and won bronze in 200 metres freestyle.
6.
Arati Saha represented India at the 1952 Summer Olympics along with compatriot Dolly Nazir.
7.
Arati Saha was one of the four women participants and the youngest member of the Indian contingent at the age of 12.
8.
Arati Saha used to participate in long-distance swimming competitions in the Ganges.
9.
Arati Saha was inspired to cross the English Channel by Brojen Das.
10.
Arati Saha proposed the name of Arati to the organizers of the Butlin International Cross Channel Swimming Race for the next year's event.
11.
Arati Saha organised exhibits of Arati's swimming prowess as part of a fundraising programme.
12.
Jamininath Das, Gour Mukherjee and Parimal Saha provided their help in organising Arati's trip.
13.
However, the pilot boat of Arati Saha did not arrive in time.
14.
Arati Saha died as a result of the illness after 19 days, on 23 August 1994.
15.
Arati Saha was the first Indian woman sportsperson to receive the award.
16.
In 1996, a bust of Arati Saha was erected near her residence.