Bula’s record bid hits red channel

Bula — who took up distance swimming after her regular swimming career — has already crossed the English Channel (1989 and 1999), the Straits of Gibraltar, the Tyrrhenian Sea in Italy, Toroneus Gulf in Greece, Cook Strait (New Zealand) and the Catalina Channel (near Los Angeles).

That leaves, among the regular seas frequented by distance swimmers, the Palk Strait (40-85 miles wide). Indeed, only Taranath Shenoy, among Indian men, has achieved the seven seas.

So what’s the problem? Well, as things stand, three ministries — External Affairs, Defence and Home — are waiting for a letter from the sports ministry. This letter, promised by the ministry to West Bengal sports minister Subhash Chakraborty in early 2003, has still not been written.

Which means that, despite the Sri Lankan government granting Bula permission as early as in January 2003, nothing’s moved.

‘‘I’ve been everywhere’’, Bula told The Sunday Express. ‘‘I’ve been to Delhi three times in the past couple of months. I’ve met people at the sports ministry. Spoken to the home ministry. People at the sports ministry have made promises, but nothing’s happened. The other ministries keep telling me that unless the sports ministry sends me the letter, they can’t do anything. The Sri Lankan government has written saying, ‘no objection’, but I can only use that to reach the middle of the sea starting from Sri Lanka.’’

Bula’s husband and coach Sanjib Chakraborty adds, ‘‘The problem is compounded by the fact that there are no associations for the Palk Strait. All the other channels Bula has swum have associations. Despite that, if the sports ministry gives us permission, everything will get done.’’

Trying to speak to Sports Minister Vikram Verma on the subject was impossible; he usually doesn’t bother with media queries. AK Verma, an under-secretary in the ministry whom Bula had been in touch with, and whom she had provided all documents to, was similarly unavailable.

Adding to Bula’s worries is the fact that she’s running out of time. The distance swimming season is short, spanning the winter months one. She’s currently practising on the Hooghly, near Kolkata, and off the Orissa coast.

Unlike many of her sporting peers and predecessors, Bula is financially secure. Her list of achievements is long. Significantly, though, the Arjuna awardee’s achievements are all through her own efforts and have all come overseas. ‘‘The last step’’ of her career remains and that’s where the Indian government comes in. The shortest step is turning out the toughest.