Hundreds of my childhood hours were spent on #TilakTank. Because of that, today I enjoy health, sportsman spirit & a big extended family of sportspersons! Salute @amit_gpn @Gautaamm @MegParanjape @jayeshparanjape https://twitter.com/suneetmt/status/1387633156392579076
We, bunch of swimmer girls, formed a Women's waterpolo team, one of the first women teams in #India. Men players coached us then and we had to play with men's team as there was no opposing women's team
#TilakTank used to be a fully natural water tank till a few years ago. The moss, the deep green water, mixed with chlorine, used to give us a peculiar smell. I now wonder, if we can carried that smell everywhere with us

Mosquitoes buzzing just on the water's surface was the most annoying part because as soon as you brought your head out to breathe, a bunch of these would enter our mouths and start a coughing spree

I have personally experienced once a snake right beside me. I was so freaked out that i had cried all the way home, resolving never ever to come back. But next morning, i was back at the pool for my workout.
National and State level swimmers were given a practice slot of 10 am to 12 noon during the peak summer months, so that we could avoid the usual beginner crowds thronging the pool.
Every summer, we used to get tanned so much that often we were unrecognisable during the day and invisible during nighttime. Only bright shiny white teeth would be seen

Swimming is one of the best gifts that I have received from my parents who diligently got us to the pool dawn, noon & night. We didnt realise it then, but today what this sport has instilled in us is beyond expression. Forever, i am indebted.