Haresh Mohan swam across the Palk Strait in 11 hours and 52 minutes, inspiring other children with autism and special needs.
Haresh started learning swimming in his father's hometown Theni. (Supplied)
On a sun-drenched day at Dhanushkodi in Rameshwaram, on October 7 2023, the weather forecast promised clear skies. At 11.29 am, the wind played approximately between 30 km/hr and 50 km/hr. Sixteen-year-old Haresh, with autism spectrum disorder, sporting his swimsuit, held unwavering focus. His singular aspiration was to conquer the 32-km expanse of the Palk Strait by completing the open water swimming expedition that he embarked on from Thalaimannar in Sri Lanka, the previous night at 11.37 pm, and set foot on the Indian shore.
After a rigorous 11 hours and 52 minutes, defying the relentless turbulence, Haresh’s determined endeavour bore fruit. His remarkable achievement wasn’t just a personal victory but a triumph celebrated by his lifelong cheerleaders — his parents, Nirmala Devi and Barath Mohan, his dedicated coach, Karthick, who tirelessly trained him for over three years, and the entire support crew who spurred him on until the very finish line. Haresh’s extraordinary success earned him a coveted place in the Asia Book of Records.
The resident of Thiruvanmiyur finds himself basking in a well-deserved glow of congratulations from his numerous well-wishers.
Elaborating on the rigorous training regimen he undertook over the past year, his coach, details, “In addition to regular swimming lessons, Haresh underwent specialised training for open water swimming, led by coach Charan in the mornings and evenings. We employed ankle weights to intensify his training, ensuring that both his arms and legs bore an even greater workload. Sea swimming is a formidable challenge, subjecting the swimmer to a multitude of obstacles, including unpredictable undercurrents, varying weather conditions, and the ever-present risk of jellyfish stings, to name a few.”
After a rigorous 11 hours and 52 minutes, defying the relentless turbulence, Haresh’s tasted success. (Supplied)
Karthick ensured Haresh was anointed with appropriate oils and greases to shield him from chlorine reactions. Haresh’s unyielding stamina proved to be his greatest asset.
“Even when he grappled with motion sickness, he swiftly overcame it, steadfastly fixated on his ultimate goal. This moment is undoubtedly a source of immense pride for all of us,” Karthick adds.
But his victory is not without the support of his parents. Nirmala Devi had to sweat her brows to get approvals from the ministries. Even after they sought it around the end of September, the team had to wait for the weather conditions to be conducive.
Haresh credits his success to his parents, coach Karthick and his crew. (Supplied)
“The government has been quite supportive, but the waiting period has been lengthy. Weather conditions also played a pivotal role. Haresh had been training in Rameshwaram since September 25, swimming a distance of four and a half kilometers for an hour. However, on the crucial day, due to challenging weather conditions, it took longer,” says Nirmala.
Yet, the young boy’s resolve remained unshaken. There were moments when his parents worried if he was under pressure, but the outcome speaks for itself.
No success comes without a backstory. In Haresh’s case it was his financial situation. “This is the result of our hard-earned efforts to ensure our son receives the best,” acknowledges his mother, who holds the position of a town planning specialist with the Tamil Nadu Urban Habitat Development Board. His father works as a planning engineer in Kazakhstan.
Haresh was 1.5 years old when his parents noticed his boundless energy and restlessness. He would have constant outbursts and struggled to sleep until he reached the age of four, recalls Nirmala. To calm him down, Haresh would be placed in a tub of water.
“Since Haresh’s father is from Theni, a town with water bodies, and holds a deep love for swimming, he often took Haresh to those serene waters. It was as if an unspoken intuition guided us toward his aquatic destiny, so we enrolled him into swimming lessons at various places. Eventually, we met coach Karthick, who specialises in coaching exceptional individuals, and the rest, as they say, is history,” narrates Nirmala.
Karthick has been dedicated to coaching children with special needs. (Supplied)
Karthick has been dedicated to coaching children with special needs. He believes that every child possesses an innate talent, which, when identified and nurtured, can yield remarkable outcomes.
Karthick emphasises the paramount importance of patience when working with special children.
“Recognising that each child is a distinct individual with their own set of strengths and weaknesses, coaches must meticulously assess these qualities to tailor their training approach. I acknowledge the varying sensitivities and tendencies some special children may have, such as aversions to certain noises or self-harming behaviours. As coaches, we must follow a nurturing and supportive approach, treating these children as though they were part of the family, all while ensuring they stay on their individualised developmental paths,” he suggests.
An advocate of swimming as a means to channel the boundless energy of hyperactive children and enhance their concentration, he says, “Haresh does not understand the concept of a competition or winning a race. But his stamina is unmatchable and he can be in the water for hours together.”
In a heartfelt plea to parents, he encourages them to consider this avenue rather than confining their children to a room. Karthick insists that swimming offers more than just the typical one-hour classes; it can be a transformative experience for children with special needs, unlocking their creative potential and fostering their overall development.
Haresh nurtures a lofty ambition to conquer seven of the world’s most challenging channels. (Supplied)
“For parents of children with disabilities, encountering a coach as welcoming as Karthick can be a challenging quest,” Nirmala reflects.
Considering herself fortunate to have discovered the perfect mentor for her son, Nirmala is full of gratitude for Karthick. “Before connecting with Karthick, I faced rejection from several coaches who claimed they lacked the expertise to work with special children. Karthick’s motivation is driven by passion rather than financial gain; he’s providing an invaluable service by supporting the aspirations of parents like us,” she shares.
Nirmala is keen and willing to offer guidance to parents of special children. Despite initiating early interventions involving occupational and speech therapy, Haresh is non-verbal. What applies or works for one child may not work for another, she says.
“It’s clear that we need increased awareness, and financial support is an indispensable component. I earnestly request the government to step forward and aid parents of children with disabilities,” she urges.
Haresh’s unyielding stamina proved to be his greatest asset. (Supplied)
Meanwhile, Haresh has wasted no time in resuming his swimming lessons. Inspired by Indian swimmer Kutraleeswaran, Haresh nurtures a lofty ambition to conquer seven of the world’s most challenging channels.
Nirmala adds, “Our next endeavour involves bringing together five to six special children for a collaborative project. By tackling these feats as a group, we hope to collectively alleviate the financial burden. Haresh’s true calling lies in swimming, and he is now dedicating his full focus to this pursuit.”
Haresh’s victory perhaps holds a promise of change and hope for other autistic children — one lap at a time.
Karthick has been taking swimming lessons for children with disabilities. He can be reached at: 7871640220
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