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Dal Cross - Bhawani Kaul

Dal Cross

This is another one of my fond memories. My affinity with water started because of my elder brother Sumir. He was a good swimmer and I was also expected to come up to that mark. So I remember in 4th class I did my Tank-Pass (with great difficulty).

The next year in 5th I went for round the boats. I remember the line up of the boats we were supposed to go around three times or so. It was frustrating to be swimming so near to the boats and at the same time not touch them. Then the next step was one mile. It was a glorious sunny day and the good thing was that I could see the destination from Gagri-Bal (Nehru park). So while swimming, I kept on viewing the destination to give me confidence to finish one mile.

My first attempt at Dal cross was a failure. I guess, I swam little bit further from Kotar Khana (Centaur hotel did not exist then) and that was it. I was too exhausted and cold and couldnt think of going any further. I climbed the boat escorting me and the boat master Amin Mangloo started consoling me that is was okay and I could do it the next year.

In 6th and I was determined to do the Dal Cross. In the morning we assembled at Gagri-Bal (Nehru park) and we were given some meat and Kandir Wan choche. After that it was applying oam teel (mustard oil) liberally on our bodies to give us some amount of insulation from the water and to keep the skin from peeling off because of extended exposure to water.

As luck would have it, it was a cold windy day. Anyway, I entered the water with one thing in mind.. I had to get the Dal Cross certificate. I started swimming with Master Nazir Ahmed's boat. I guess we were both in the same house and he was determined to make it happen for the house. Initially around Kotar Khana he started throwing Kulchas in the water for me to eat. By the time I would reach the Kulchas, they would be soaked in water. So after a few tasteless bites, I decided not to have any more of the stuff. Master Nazir asked me why I was not eating and I told him frankly that the Kulchas tasted awful after getting soaked. He asked me Teli Kya Khyak what will you eat the. I replied Maaz Bhat. So he started feeding me rice and meat from his own trami (tiffin) with his hand since I was not supposed to touch the boat. I can never forget that kind act. Around Char Chinari I started feeling tired and resorted to back stroke.the only stroke that was natural to me. There were problems with the back stroke; it was difficult for me to keep going in a straight line since I couldn't see the direction to my destination. So I was zig-zagging which was frustrating the rowers of the boat escorting me.

Because of my first unsuccessful attempt at Dal-Cross, my brother had showed me how to relax in water. Basically you just stretch out, take a slow deep breath and roll inside water. This helped me to relax my muscles and in due time I was at Wunt Kadal and my dream to complete Dal Cross was accomplished.

2007.09.09. 22:46