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| Harilal, Kuzhikkattussery, Thrissur |
An ink-blue pond of 1 acre area, and on the branches of trees by its bank, children of various ages about to jump into the water… the scene may be reminiscent of the banks of Yamuna where the Divine Child is about make a foray into the realm of Kaliya. However, at Kuzhikkattussery, Thrissur, it is the eager children who have come to learn swimming at the private pond of Harilal. And Harilal, son of Moothedath Sudarsan, a record holder in swimming in Madras University in 1955, coaches the aspirants for free.
Tragedy of sunken boats with students perishing in it, the fact that Thrissur has the largest water-based accidents every year etc. had churned his mind. So in 2008 with 200 students, he started the free training at his pond.
Later he coached every student in Aloor Panchayat in the art of swimming. Later his effort expanded to the students of Mala and Puthenchira panchayats. This time the sessions were in the ponds in those panchayats. In 6 years Harilal has coached more than10000 aspirants.
In order to enhance the confidence of the students, Harilal has a novel mode of introduction to swimming. It is in this connection that the aspirants are placed on the branches of trees. They are asked to jump into deep waters - of course with air-filled rubber tubes around their waist.
As they come above water following the jump, he instructs them to close their eyes and be still for a moment. It is to overcome their fear of water. Following this they are asked to flex their limbs. The exercise is then repeated with lesser air in the tube. This is to enhance the effort of the learners and to give them confidence of learning swimming on their own.
Courtesy: Thumboor Lohithakshan (text), Mathrubhumi,July 18, 2015
