The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Teen books his place in the sun

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Wednesday, Jul 30, 2008
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Karnataka - Bangalore

Teen books his place in the sun

Staff Reporter

Things are going swimmingly for Virdhawal Khade as he leaves for Beijing

— Photo: K. Murali Kumar

First copy: Swimmer Virdhawal Khade along with Olympian swimmers Hakimuddin Habibulla and Nisha Millet, launching a special children’s book on him titled Kolhapur to Beijing - Freestyle ! authored by Mala Kumar (right) in Bangalore on Tuesday.

BANGALORE: Just as young Virdhawal Khade leaves for the Olympics, Pratham Books launched a special children’s book on him titled Kolhapur to Beijing – Freestyle!

The book was released by Olympian swimmers Shikha Tandon, Hakimuddin Habibulla and Nisha Millet here on Tuesday.

The book, authored by Mala Kumar and illustrated by Ashish Nangia, traces 16-year-old Virdhawal’s journey from a middleclass Kolhapur family to the Beijing Olympics. It was not an easy path for the young and talented swimmer who faced many trials and disappointments.

Turning point

At the World Swimming Championship in Melbourne last year, Virdhawal finished first with a spectacular time of 1 minute and 52.41 seconds. It was a timing which opened the doors to Beijing. Still in his 11th grade, he is the youngest ever Indian swimmer to qualify for the Olympics.

Though the book is aimed at children aged between 11 and 14, it is an inspiring read for all.

Ms. Mala Kumar, who is a journalist and a keen observer of events and people, said: “Virdhawal is a focussed young man and knows where he wants to be. All he has to do is to smile and he seems to connect with young people. It was a pleasant change for me to write on someone like him; someone who has proved that goals are possible.”

In a run-up to the launch, Pratham Books ran a campaign asking everyone from different parts of the country to send in their best wishes to the swimmer. The result was overwhelming. More than 32,000 children and adults responded in eight languages and the 50-metre card (the length of an Olympic swimming pool, no less) with everyone’s best wishes was presented to Virdhawal, who will be representing India in the 50m, 100m and 200m freestyle races.

“We found Virdhawal’s story interesting. As India’s youngest swimming champion and Asia’s fastest sprint swimmer, we thought he could be a role model for millions of children across the country. We are happy to have brought out this book in eight languages through which we can inspire children in India to achieve their dreams, irrespective of their background. “We are proud of the fact that over the last four years, Pratham Books has reached out to millions of children across the country with its low cost model that spans from story-cards priced at Rs. 1.50 to storybooks for Rs. 25. We have managed these price points without comprising on content, quality or production. This has benefited children everywhere, particularly those for whom books have traditionally been out of reach,” said Ashok Kamath, managing trustee of Pratham Books.

Kolhapur to Beijing — Freestyle! is the 150th title of Pratham Books. The not-for-profit organisation publishes high-quality, low-cost books in English and 10 Indian languages. It has shipped over 3 million books and is promoting reading among children across India. The organisation’s mission is to ensure a book in every child’s hand and create a reading India.

Log on to www.prathambooks.org, for details.

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