13-year-old autistic Jia crosses 28.5 km from Sri Lanka to Dhanushkodi in 13.10 hours

- Regardless of the cyclone forming in the ocean

Chennai: Nothing is impossible with a strong mind and strong will, says Jia Rai, a 19-year-old autism sufferer. Jia set a world record by crossing the Palk Jal Desert in 18 hours and 10 minutes, starting from the port of Talaimannar in Sri Lanka to Arichalmunai near Dhanoshkodi in Tamil Nadu. He achieved this feat by winning the India-Sri Lanka Friendship Cup held on March 30 in Rameshwaram.

She has been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder since she was two years old

The swimming competition also includes the Ramsetu built by Shriram on the 6.5 km sea route from the port of Sri Lanka to Rameshwaram Dhanushkoti in Tamil Nadu. For the first time, para swimmers from both the countries were given a chance in the swimming competition organized by the Swimming Federation of India. Two para swimmers, including six from Sri Lanka and Jia Rai from India, took part in the competition. Hundreds of people cheered on the finish line of the competition near Dhanushkoti. Gia was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder when she was two years old. A child with autism cannot stay normal. It is also difficult to understand, starting with communication. This is why people understand autism as a barrier but autism is not a barrier, Jia has proved.

The world's first para swimmer to cross the Arabian Sea by swimming

Earlier, no para swimmer in the Arabian Sea had set a record for swimming a distance of 4.5 km.

Autism sufferer Para Swimmer Jia did not lose heart despite learning that a cyclone was also erupting near the Andamans. By taking such an adventure, Jia is the youngest para swimmer not only in India but also in the world. Jiah had earlier completed the distance from Mumbai's Worli Sea Link to Gateway of India by swimming for 4 hours and 30 minutes.

Earlier, the 5 km distance from Zonal Court to Vasai Fort was covered in 3 hours and 5 minutes. So far, Jia has won 4 gold and 1 silver medal in 12 different swimming competitions.

Navy officer father taught swimming despite autism

Gia had autism and young children used to make fun of her at school. Parents of children who are constantly irritated in such circumstances start worrying. Father Madan Rai once took his daughter Jia to a swimming pool. Little Jia was able to swim in the water very easily within a few hours.

This is where his swimming training started. Water sports began to be taught as therapy. Gia, the dream daughter of mother Rachna Rai and father Madan Rai, is set to win a gold medal for India at the Olympics. The parents are natives of Katai Alimudinpur village in Azamgarh district of UP.

- The 28.5 km sea route also included Ramsetu built by Shriram

- Starting from Talaimannar port in Sri Lanka and reached near Dhanoshkodi in Tamil Nadu