There is a story about a professor who was once sailing in a boat. He asked the boatman if he knew history. When the boatman said “No”, the professor remarked, “You don’t know such an important subject? Half your life is wasted.” Soon, a storm arose and the boat began to toss in the strong winds. Now it was the boatman’s turn to ask the professor if he knew swimming. When the professor said “No”, the boatman replied, “Then sir, your whole life is lost.”

This simple story shows the practical value of swimming. Even though not all of us face such life-or-death situations daily, swimming remains a highly useful skill. It is not only a lifesaving art but also one of the best forms of physical exercise and recreation. A refreshing swim in a pool, river, or sea on a hot day gives both health and happiness.

Children especially seem to have a natural attraction towards water. You will always find them eager to dive into ponds, lakes, or pools. Many start with support like floaters, tubes, or ropes and soon learn to swim on their own with great joy. But here, a word of caution is important. Careless swimming or overconfidence can lead to accidents. Sometimes even skilled swimmers get caught in strong undercurrents. Therefore, it is always wise to learn swimming under trained guidance and never swim alone.

Swimming has earned its place as one of the finest exercises. It engages the whole body, builds stamina and keeps the mind fresh. It is also an excellent hobby that balances study, work and relaxation.

The art of swimming can be learnt at a very young age. In fact, doctors say that babies can be trained in water even before they learn to walk. Unfortunately, in India swimming is not given as much importance as it deserves, though our country has produced some remarkable swimmers. Names like Arati Saha, Mihir Sen, Anita Sood, Rupali Repale and Taranath Shenoy have brought great pride to the nation. Some of them even achieved the extraordinary feat of crossing the English Channel and other challenging waters. Their dedication shows that swimming is not only a personal skill but also a source of national pride.