11-year-old Shradhha Shukla to swim from Kanpur to Varanasi

Shraddha Shukla, 11-year-old, took a dive in the swollen Ganga at the Massacre Ghat in Kanpur to swim 550 kms from Kanpur to Varanasi in 10 days.

Shukla aims to conclude her swimming feat at the Gau Ghat in Varanasi on the 10th day. According to a report in NDTV, her feat will be the equivalent of 13 Olympic marathons. She further plans to swim 60 kms each day.

She started swimming at the age of two when her grandfather Munnu Shukla took her to Ganga.

On the first day, Shukla covered 100 kms between the Siddhnath Ghat to Chandrika Devi temple in Unnao. She is scheduled to swim from Chandrika Devi to Sankata Devi in Rae Bareli - 40 kms - onthe second day, followed by Sankata Devi temple to Singhverpur - 60 kms - on the third day then Singhverpur-Naubasta Ghat in Fatehpur - 40 kms and on the fifth day from Naubasta Ghat to Kadedham in Kaushambi - 30 kms.

Shukla will reach Sangam in Allahabad from Kadedhaam - 30kms - on sixth day. On Day 7, Shukla will attempt 60 kms and touch Vindhyavasini Ghat in Mirzapur.

NDTV quoted her father Lalit Shukla as saying that his daughter has "fins of her own." He further added that the family encouraged the girl as she wanted to swim long distances.

Eight divers are accompanying her to Varanasi. A doctor is also on board for any emergencies. "The current is very strong and the river is in spate, so we cannot take any chances" her father added.