With his family
With his family

Ram’s dive to make a winning splash

Eleven-year-old swimming champ, Sriram J dreams of representing India in the Olympics and winning a medal.

Eleven-year-old swimming champ, Sriram J dreams of representing India in the Olympics and winning a medal. He will take part in the national sub-junior aquatic meet and his family is pooling in everything they have to support him.

CHENNAI: I want to win an Olympic medal for my mother,” says the high-spirited 11-year-old Sriram J from Ayodhya Kuppam. He is a swimmer, who will make his debut in the national sub-junior aquatic meet later this month.
It has been a long struggle for the kid and his parents, who continue to work hard to make ends meet. It’s a life without smartphones, everyday comforts and a five-digit income for the family of six. But Jayamani and Saraswathi never hesitated to fuel their son’s dream. Sriram trains under B Girish at Turtles Swimming Club and after an impressive outing at the recent state championship, he is set for his first plunge at the national level.

Hailing from the fishermen community and living near the shore, Sriram took to water naturally, in a different way. He started swimming at Marina beach when he was five. “My father used to take me along when he went fishing early in the morning. That’s how I began swimming and slowly it became a passion,” he says.

Growing up in a poor family with an ambition to achieve in swimming meant lots of difficulties. His parents had to, and still do, spend around `5,000 a month, which is almost three-fourth of the family’s income. But Saraswathi never gave up. “I run a bhajji shop. My husband is a fisherman and he also does book binding. He takes care of Sriram’s swimming expenses, while I try to look after the family’s requirements. It’s not enough, so we borrow and manage somehow,” she smiles.

Ayodhya Kuppam has around 700 two-bhk flats, with tiled flooring. Thanks to the government, they can now save `2000, spent previously on rent. In 21 years of marriage, Saraswathi has seen much worse. There were days when they couldn’t afford one meal for the children and she even thought of ending her life. But one day, she says, “I felt as if god was telling me, ‘Start a shop, start a new life’. I was relieved and moved forwards,” she says.

While she has seen only hardships, Sriram wants to fulfil all her wishes. “I want to do something for my country. My mother encourages me to join the army. I hope I represent India someday and make my mother and country proud in aquatics,” says the young swimmer.
For them, education or sports cannot be compromised. Sriram’s elder sister studies nursing, since the family couldn’t help her pursue a medical degree. “We need more nurses in our country. If you can’t become a doctor, you can be a nurse and help save a life,”
says Saraswathi.

With the nationals beginning on June 28 in Pune, the family’s biggest concern is gathering money for flight tickets that will allow Sriram a day’s rest before his event and quality swimming gear. With funds playing hide and seek with their lives, every day is a challenge for this family of fighters.

Those willing to help Sriram can call 9094002856, 9094283719

Related Stories

No stories found.
The New Indian Express
www.newindianexpress.com