Learned Swimming Through a Near-Death Experience

If I had asked them, many of my Navodaya (Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya) friends might not have allowed me to share this story. It was our secret to take swimming lessons from each other in the Beas River. While we always managed to return safely, the risks we took could have raised serious questions about the security of students in our boarding school.

The Plan: A Cloudy Day and Bold Decisions

"Aaj chalna hai?" ("Shall we go today?") These words were enough for me and Suraj (name changed) to understand the plan. The sky was cloudy, and only the two of us—Suraj and I—were ready for our secret "after-lunch swimming" practice in the Beas River.

Sneaking Out of the Hostel

Our hostels were fenced to restrict entry and exit, and we were part of the first batch directly admitted to these newly constructed hostels in 1998. It was winter, probably January or February of 2002, and the cold season was in full swing. After lunch, between 2:00 PM and 3:00 PM, students were expected to rest in their hostels. But some of us found this hour perfect for our unauthorized swimming adventures in the Beas River.

Nervous Excitement at the Riverbank

After finishing lunch, we descended through the narrow, shrub-lined footpath to the riverbank. The river, wide during the monsoons, had a narrow and transparent flow in winter. As usual, a wave of nervous excitement hit me as we reached the bank. Learning something new was always thrilling, but the butterflies in my stomach were undeniable.

Preparing for the Cold Waters

We oiled our bodies—a precaution suggested by friends to prevent skin problems in the cold water. Clothes were left on the rocks, and we stepped into the river even without our underwear. At 13, we were too young to care about modesty or anyone watching.

Learning to Float and Pedal

I began practicing by holding onto a half-immersed stone for support while pedaling my feet in the water. My biggest hurdle was learning to keep my eyes open underwater, as I was essentially blind whenever my head went under. Suraj, meanwhile, swam effortlessly, demonstrating strokes on both sides of the river.

The Moment of Panic

I was making slow progress, pedaling about three meters in shallow water with my eyes closed. For safety, I would stay in water up to my chest and always face the bank before starting. But as I stood on a submerged boulder with water touching my throat, something went wrong.

Suddenly, I lost my footing—either due to fear or the river’s current. In an instant, I was completely underwater, hearing only the sound of bubbles before they disappeared into silence.

A Cinematic Flashback and Survival

Panic gripped me as I flailed to find the riverbed. For a moment, I remembered Hrithik Roshan’s drowning scene from the movie Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai. Strangely, the cinematic similarity distracted me from fear, giving me a brief sense of presence of mind.

I felt the riverbed beneath me and instinctively pushed off, reaching the surface. I managed to gasp, "Suraj, bacha (Save me...)" before going under again. Suraj, realizing my struggle, grabbed my hand and dragged me toward shallower water. Finally, I opened my eyes, relieved to be alive.

A Rebirth and Renewed Determination

That moment felt like a rebirth. Suraj never mentioned the incident to anyone, nor did I, as it could have led to punishment for both of us.

The next day, however, brought new adventures. With a larger group of friends, I surprised everyone with my sudden progress. Instead of vowing never to swim again, I became determined to cross the river. Fueled by newfound courage, I declared my intention—a bold and slightly foolish move that boosted my confidence.

Taking the Challenge to Cross the River

One of my friends carried my trousers to the opposite bank, taunting, "Tu ise khud leke jayega" ("You’ll carry it back yourself"). His belief in me was motivating.

I climbed a large rock used for diving, braced myself, and took a leap. My flat dive stung my stomach, but I had no choice but to keep swimming. Miraculously, I reached the other side, elated yet worried about the return journey. Gathering my courage, I swam back, and from that day, the water became less intimidating.

The Joy of Conquering Fear

I learned to open my eyes underwater and even discovered the joy of swimming beneath the surface. This memory remains etched in my heart—a life-changing moment of fear, courage, and gratitude.

Reflections on a Life-Changing Experience

Reflecting on it now, I believe my last breath might carry the same feelings I had that day, a meter below the water's surface. I’ve lost my fear of death because I’ve faced it—and lived to tell the tale.

Note: This is my personal story and doesn’t represent the experience of every Navodaya student. Many followed the rules diligently and gained from the school in other ways. I share this event because it’s tied deeply to my life. If you wish to judge anyone based on this story, judge me—not my school or friends.

Thank you for reading.