Tricolor unfurled amid sea in Gujarat, mid-sea flag hoisting going on for 17 years by Porbandar sea-swimming club

Porbandar: Continuing its patriotic feat of hoisting the national flag in sea, the 50 odd adventure loving swimmers including around 10 brave women of a well-known club here which trains people in sea-swimming, today participated in the special tricolor unfurling venture here.

The event was organized for the 17 the consecutive time on this Republic day (it is also held every Independence day) by Shree Ram Sea Swimming Club, established in 2001 here to promote the spirit of patriotism along with popularizing the art of sea swimming and other adventurous sea sports . Its president Dipak Unadkat, father of international cricketer Jaydev Unadkat.

Pritesh Lakhani, a board member of the club today said that around 50 swimmers along with 8 to 10 brave women carried the national flag around 300 to 400 meter off Chaupati shore here in to the sea and then unfurled it. The national anthem was also sung as usual and the swimming participants also saluted the tricolor. They also sang other patriotic songs on the occasion. A crowd of over 100 people assembled on the shore to watch the event and buck-up the participants.

‘It was started to promote the spirit of patriotism and popularize the sea-swimming but has now turned in to more of a passionate patriotic event. We are doing it on every Republic and Independence day since 2001,’ he said.

‘We teach sea swimming only and have even organized several national events recognized by the Swimming Federation of India. Now we are also planning to organize an international event,’ he said.

DeshGujarat