4-year-old takes to water like a fish

Khammam: At a time when most kids of her age prefer mother’s lap or chasing their grannies, this four-year-old girl of Khammam has been creating ripples by swimming across the swirling waters of Munneru stream, a tributary of the Krishna river.

Bandi Yuvika seems to have no fear whatsoever whenever she is let into the waters of Munneru stream by her grandfather Venkateswarlu, who is an expert swimmer himself with plenty of coaching experience.

When Yuvika showed unusual interest in swimming at the age of three years, her parents Sudheer and Srilatha took her to the swimming pool on the premises of Sardar Patel Stadium.

However, the authorities there denied entry to Yuvika, citing underage. She was expected to wait until she attains five years. Then, fulfilling her wish was left to grandpa Venkateswarlu.

When Yuvika was taken to the Munneru stream for the first time by her grandpa, her parents wore a frightened look, but she was never ill at ease. It appeared as if the whole arena belonged to her. Since then, Yuvika has never looked back.

Now she swims unstopped and untired for a kilometer at a stretch. Besides, she is not in the least afraid of diving from a height of 10 feet. When water recedes in the Munneru, Yuvika has other options as well – Nagarjuna Sagar Project (NSP) canal and local water bodies to swim.

Speaking to The Hans India, Bandi Venkateswarlu, who in 2013 received Certificate of Appreciation from the district administration, said: “Swimming in rivers and canals is not all that easy, compared to the still waters of a swimming pool. Provided an opportunity and a professional coach, I am sure Yuvika will do wonders.”

By Adepu Mahender