IANS

Kolkata, Jul 31: Having swum the English Channel and the Strait of Gibraltar, physically challenged swimmer Masadur Rahman Baidya will set out to cross the Palk Strait in July next year.

The 41-year-old swimmer, who lost both his legs from the knee-down in a train mishap in his young days, will swim the 35 km long strait separating India and Sri Lanka after making the start from Talaimannar in Sri Lanka.

Masadur, the first male double amputee below the knee to cross the English Channel, will touch the shore at Dhanushkodi of Tamil Nadu, the swimmer announced Thursday at a function.

"Talks are now on with the defence and home ministries of both the countries," Masadur said at a programme where he was felicitated on the 12th anniversary of his English Channel triumph.

The Silicon Group of Companies, which named Masadur as its brand ambassador, will sponsor his entire Palk Strait expedition.

The event saw Masudur Rahaman enter the water once again after eight years in his effort to get back to shape before his new venture.

Bengali musical band Jowar paid tribute to the ace swimmer by rendering two of their compositions on him.

Masadur had earlier declared that he would attempt to cross the Palk Strait last year itself, but dearth of sponsors delayed his plan.

The swimmer had created a sensation in 1997 by crossing the English Channel before successfully traversing the Strait of Gibraltar in 2001.