Shantipriya Ray Chowdhury/Kolkata

Taharina Nasrin, a long-distance swimmer from Nimdighi in Uluberia, Howrah, who has already conquered the English Channel, is preparing to cross New Zealand’s Cook Strait next March. She is waiting for a sponsor to help her meet the expenses for the expedition.

Taharina’s journey in swimming began when she was just two-and-a-half years old. Her mother introduced her to swimming in the two large ponds located in front of their home. As she grew older, her interest in swimming continued to deepen.

After entering Class 5, Taharina joined the Uluberia Municipality swimming pool with her father to receive formal training. She later began practising at a swimming training centre in Uluberia.

Taharina Nasrin with her parents

Her father, Sheikh Afsar Ahmed, was himself a footballer who played for Kumartuli in Kolkata’s Maidan during the 1970s. He says swimming has always been part of the family’s upbringing.

“In our family, children are taught to swim in the pond in front of our house when they are around two or three years old. Taharina was no exception. This is how she grew up, swimming in the family pond. From 2005, she began participating in various swimming competitions and started achieving good results,” he said.

Taharina gradually began making her mark at the state and national levels. She holds records in the 50-metre, 100-metre and 200-metre backstroke events at the state level and has won 22 medals at the national level. She also participated in the Indo-Bangla Games, where she achieved success.

Taharina Nasrin admirting her medals

After competing in her last national-level event in 2013, Taharina decided to focus on long-distance swimming.

That year proved to be a turning point in her career. She began training under Masudur Rahman at Subhas Sarobar in Beleghata, Kolkata.

In 2014, she finished third in an 81-km competition, becoming one of the few women swimmers to achieve such a feat in the event in many years.

Taharina had joined the Income Tax Department in 2012. Recalling the beginning of her English Channel dream, she said her coach asked her in 2013 whether she could cross the channel.

Taharina Nasrin at home

“I said yes, I could. Once I said it, I began working towards it. From 2013, I started training with that goal in mind. My routine was to leave home at 9 am, attend the office and then go to Beleghata for swimming practice,” she said.

On April 26, 2015, Taharina’s journey suffered a major setback. Her coach, Masudur Rahman, passed away.

Devastated by his death, Taharina almost gave up her dream of crossing the English Channel. Her parents, however, encouraged her to continue. They told her that successfully crossing the channel would be the best tribute to her coach.

Taharina Nasrin with her coach

There was another major obstacle. At the last moment, the British High Commissioner in Kolkata rejected her visa application. Taharina had almost given up hope when the support of some senior Olympians eventually helped her obtain permission to undertake the crossing.

The historic moment came on September 3, 2015. Taharina entered the water at 3:25 pm and completed the English Channel crossing at 4:03 pm.

After achieving the feat, Taharina recalled her coach’s words: “Masadur Sir used to say that you can call yourself a true champion only if your success can make the country proud. I still feel proud that I was able to fulfil his words.”

Taharina Nasrin inside the pool

The English Channel was only the beginning. Taharina has since completed several challenging open-water crossings -- Swim Bengal Channel Solo Cross, Swim Bengal Channel Double Cross, Gibraltar Strait and Dharamtar Gateway.

The long-distance swimmer from Bengal is now preparing for her next major challenge: crossing New Zealand’s Cook Strait next March. The proposed route is from Picton to Wellington, covering approximately 22 kilometres.

However, the challenge is not only physical. Funding the expedition is another major hurdle.

Taharina has financed some of her biggest crossings largely on her own. She spent around Rs 12 lakh on her English Channel crossing and approximately Rs 8 lakh on the Gibraltar Strait crossing.

Taharina Nasrin with the tricolour

She managed these expenses using savings from her father’s business, bank loans and part of her own earnings. According to her, neither government nor private organisations provided significant financial assistance for these crossings.

Notwithstanding the financial challenges, Taharina says, “It would be good if I could get some sponsorship for this. I am trying in every possible way.”

There is, however, some encouraging news. After a long wait, Uluberia-based sports organisation Friends Enterprise has promised financial assistance to help Taharina with her difficult journey. The organisation has also assured her of continued support.

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With another major open-water challenge ahead, Taharina is now looking beyond the English Channel and the Gibraltar Strait, hoping to add New Zealand’s Cook Strait to her growing list of achievements.