IPS officer swims English Channel

Rajiv Trivedi, an Indian Police Service officer of the Andhra Pradesh cadre, swam the 32-km English channel in 13 hours on Wednesday.

According to a communique received in Hyderabad, Trivedi's 13-hour swim is a record for any Indian under 40 years.

Trivedi, an MBA-turned-police officer, started his swim from Dover in the United Kingdom at 7 am (local time) and reached Cap Gris Nez, near the French coast, at 8.30 pm. He could not touch land as the sea became choppy and strong adverse currents started sweeping him into the North Sea. His pilot stopped the swim only six kms away from the French coast.

The official observer felt the effort was good enough for a full crossing on a better day and with a conducive atmosphere.

Trivedi encountered oil spills, debris, sea weeds and swarms of deadly jelly fish during the 13-hour swim and lost five kilograms during his marathon effort in the cold waters.

An IPS officer of 1986 batch, Trivedi will turn 40 on September 19 this year. He worked as superintendent of police in Krishna, Karimnagar and Guntur districts and as Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) in Hyderabad city.