Lohita Sarakshi a five-year-old girl from Church Park School, Chennai, completed a 5 km swim in the sea along Marina beach successfully. Accompanied by catamarans, coach K.S. Elangovan on a boat, and trained swimmers, the girl finished swimming the distance in a span of 2 hours.

When asked if she was afraid of swimming in the sea, the young child replied: “No. I have been swimming for nearly three years and occasionally I swim in the sea.” Her parents and elder sister were overjoyed to see her perform this feat. Lohita’s father Mahimaidas, a police constable, has acted as an inspiration for his daughter. He said: “I am a swimmer myself. The sport gives confidence, improves health and gets rid of fear. Hence, I encourage my children to take up swimming. It has greatly improved her concentration.”

The second-grade child's proud coach talking about his student said: “We expected the sea to be conducive for the swim. There were no waves and the girl had to put in all her effort. We prevented jellyfish from coming close to her. In fact, one of the swimmers who was shielding her was injured by the fish.”

In the future, Lohita wants to break records in swimming and become an IPS officer herself.