ALAPPUZHA: Malu Shaika, 20, has faced several hardships in life, including the breakup of her parents, but she has swum against the currents and come out successful setting a model to other unfortunate girls and women. She is again set to prove a point by swimming at least 8 km through the Vembanad lake from Kumarakom to Muhamma on Sunday. Malu, who works as an advisor at United India Insurance Company’s divisional office, Aluva, and stays in the Holy Matha Convent, Athani, Aluva was trained by Saji Valasseril, who had made headlines many times by making children swim across Periyar, including a 5-year-old on November 30 last year.
Malu, who hails from Aluva, had met Saji Valasseril in his furniture shop at Aluva eight months ago. Realising her interest in swimming, he coached her in Periyar where he used to train others. “She was above average in learning swimming and I wanted to make her swim in the Vembanad lake,” he said. Malu worked hard in the Periyar waters for at least two hours every day by travelling 15 km from her hostel.
“I wish to encourage girls who are struggling in life. Swimming will give them confidence,” she said. Her parents had separated when she was in the primary school. They later remarried and she stayed with her mother till she passed her B.Com degree. Her non-stop swimming will be flagged off at 7 a.m. by Kumarakom grama panchayat president A.P. Salimon. She will be received by Mayamaju, vice-president of Muhamma panchayat, at 11 a.m. at Muhamma.
