Google Doodle honours Arati Saha: Know about India's swimming prodigy

On September 29, 1959, Arati Saha became the first Asian woman to cross the English Channel, swimming 42 miles from Cape Gris Nez, France to Sandgate, England

Today's Google doodle is dedicated to Arati Saha, a groundbreaking Indian long-distance swimmer and Olympian. This day would have been her 80th birthday. On September 29, 1959, she became the first Asian woman to cross the English Channel, swimming 42 miles from Cape Gris Nez in France, to Sandgate in England.

Born in Kolkata, Saha's athletic talent became known when she won her first gold medal for swimming at the age of 5. By the time she was 11 years old, she earned the title of 'swimming prodigy'.

Today’s Google doodle has been drawn by her fellow Kolkata native, artist Lavanya Naidu.