17 Facts About Mihir Sen

Mihir Sen was a famous Indian long distance swimmer and lawyer.

Mihir Sen was the first Asian to conquer the English Channel from Dover to Calais in 1958, and did so in the fourth fastest time.

Mihir Sen was the only man to swim the oceans of the five continents in one calendar year.

Mihir Sen was born in a bengali brahmin family on 16 November 1930 in Purulia, West Bengal, to physician Ramesh Sengupta and his wife, Lilabati.

Largely due to the efforts of his mother Lilabati, the Sens moved to Cuttack when Mihir was eight, as Cuttack had better schools.

Mihir Sen wanted to travel to England to prepare himself for the bar but was constrained by lack of funds.

In England, Mihir Sen was hired at India House by the Indian Ambassador Krishna Menon.

Mihir Sen enrolled at Lincoln's Inn to study Law on 21 February 1951.

Mihir Sen self-studied from the books he borrowed from their library.

Mihir Sen was called to the Bar at Lincoln's Inn on November 23,1954.

Mihir Sen read an article in a local newspaper about Florence Chadwick, the first American woman to swim the English Channel in 1950, and was inspired to repeat this feat for his country.

Mihir Sen returned to India a Nationa Hero and was considered to be one of the most prominent youth icons of his generation.

Mihir Sen then set out to become the first man to swim the oceans of the five continents in one calendar year.

Mihir Sen raised half the money through sponsors and the balance was provided by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

Mihir Sen further extended full support of the Indian Navy to accompany him for the Palk Strait swim.

Mihir Sen initially practised Criminal Law at the Calcutta High Court, but subsequently became a successful businessman.

Mihir Sen died from a combination of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease at age 66 in June 1997.