Mihir Sen - Revision history

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	'''Mihir Sen''' (16 November 1930 – 11 June 1997) was a famous Indian long distance swimmer and ~~businessman~~. He was the first ~~Indian~~ to conquer the [[English Channel]] from [[Dover]] to [[Calais]] in 1958, and did so in the fourth fastest time (14 hrs & 45 mins). He was the only man to swim the oceans of the five continents in one calendar year (1966). These included the [[Palk Strait]], [[Dardanelles]], [[Bosporus\|Bosphorus]], [[Gibraltar]], and the entire length of the [[Panama Canal]].<ref name=Begging_recall>{{cite web		'''Mihir Sen''' (16 November 1930 – 11 June 1997) was a famous Indian long distance swimmer and lawyer. He was the first Asian to conquer the [[English Channel]] from [[Dover]] to [[Calais]] in 1958, and did so in the fourth fastest time (14 hrs & 45 mins). He was the only man to swim the oceans of the five continents in one calendar year (1966). These included the [[Palk Strait]], [[Dardanelles]], [[Bosporus\|Bosphorus]], [[Gibraltar]], and the entire length of the [[Panama Canal]].<ref name=Begging_recall>{{cite web
	\| url = http://www.thestatesman.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=438094&catid=44		\| url = http://www.thestatesman.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=438094&catid=44
	\| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130125073742/http://thestatesman.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=438094&catid=44		\| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130125073742/http://thestatesman.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=438094&catid=44
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	== Life in England ==		== Life in England ==
	In England, Sen was hired at India House by the Indian Ambassador Krishna Menon. He enrolled at Lincoln's Inn to study Law on 21 ~~November~~ 1951. He ~~worked all day at India House and studied at home at night. He couldn't afford to attend lectures at Lincoln's Inn and~~ self-studied from the books he borrowed from their library. He was called to the Bar at Lincoln's Inn on ~~9 February~~ 1954~~. During this time, He also met his future British wife, Bella Weingarten, at a dance at the International Youth Hostel in London~~.<ref name=Begging_recall/>		In England, Sen was hired at India House by the Indian Ambassador Krishna Menon. He enrolled at Lincoln's Inn to study Law on 21 February 1951. He self-studied from the books he borrowed from their library. He was called to the Bar at Lincoln's Inn on November 23, 1954.<ref name=Begging_recall/>

	== Swimming career ==		== Swimming career ==
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	On Sept 27, 1958, he catapulted to fame after conquering the English Channel from Dover to Calais <ref name = "Bose268">Bose, Anjali, ''Samsad Bangali Chariutabhidhan'', Vol II, {{in lang\|bn}}p. 268, Sishu Sahitya Samsad Pvt. Ltd., {{ISBN\|81-86806-99-7}}</ref> in the fourth fastest time (14 hours and 45 minutes). He returned to India a Nationa Hero and was considered to be one of the most prominent youth icons of his generation. In 1959, he was awarded the Padma Shri by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.		On Sept 27, 1958, he catapulted to fame after conquering the English Channel from Dover to Calais <ref name = "Bose268">Bose, Anjali, ''Samsad Bangali Chariutabhidhan'', Vol II, {{in lang\|bn}}p. 268, Sishu Sahitya Samsad Pvt. Ltd., {{ISBN\|81-86806-99-7}}</ref> in the fourth fastest time (14 hours and 45 minutes). He returned to India a Nationa Hero and was considered to be one of the most prominent youth icons of his generation. In 1959, he was awarded the Padma Shri by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.

	He then set out to become the first man to swim the oceans of the five continents in one calendar year (1966). Initially, he needed to raise Rs 45,000 to pay the Indian navy ~~to accompany him~~ to record and navigate the Palk Strait swim. Sen ~~managed to raise~~ half the money through sponsors (notably the Kolkata daily, ''The Statesman'') and the balance was provided by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. She further extended full support of the Indian Navy (The INS Sukanya and the INS Sharada) to accompany him for the Palk Strait swim.		He then set out to become the first man to swim the oceans of the five continents in one calendar year (1966). Initially, he needed to raise Rs 45,000 to pay the Indian navy to record and navigate the Palk Strait swim. Sen raised half the money through sponsors (notably the Kolkata daily, ''The Statesman'') and the balance was provided by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. She further extended full support of the Indian Navy (The INS Sukanya and the INS Sharada) to accompany him for the Palk Strait swim. Sen became the first Indian on record to swim across the Palk Straits on 5–6 April 1966 between Ceylon (Sri Lanka) and Dhanushkodi (India) in 25 hours and 36 minutes. On 24 August, he became the first Asian to cross the Straits of Gibraltar in 8 hours and 1 minute, and on 12 September became the world's first man to swim across the 40-mile long Dardanelles (Gallipoli, Europe to Sedulbahir, Asia minor) in 13 hours and 55 minutes. In the same year, Sen was also the first Indian to swim the Bosphorus (Turkey) in 4 hrs and the first non-American (and third man) to swim across the entire (50-mile length) of the Panama Canal in 34 hrs and 15 mins on 29–31 October.<ref name=Begging_recall/>
	Sen became the first Indian on record to swim across the Palk Straits on 5–6 April 1966 between Ceylon (Sri Lanka) and Dhanushkodi (India) in 25 hours and 36 minutes. On 24 August, he became the first Asian to cross the Straits of Gibraltar ~~(Europe to Africa)~~ in 8 hours and 1 minute, and on 12 September became the world's first man to swim across the 40-mile long Dardanelles (Gallipoli, Europe to Sedulbahir, Asia minor) in 13 hours and 55 minutes. In the same year, Sen was also the first Indian to swim the Bosphorus (Turkey) in 4 hrs and the first non-American (and third man) to swim across the entire (50-mile length) of the Panama Canal in 34 hrs and 15 mins on 29–31 October.

	This achievement earned him a place in the Guinness Book of World Records for long distance swimming and he was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1967 by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. In the same year, he also won the Blitz Nehru Trophy for 'daring achievements in the seven seas of the world.'		This achievement earned him a place in the Guinness Book of World Records for long distance swimming and he was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1967 by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. In the same year, he also won the Blitz Nehru Trophy for 'daring achievements in the seven seas of the world.'
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	== Life in India ==		== Life in India ==

	After his return to India in 1958 (shortly after his English Channel victory), he was denied entry into the clubs due to their "whites only" policy. This compelled him to lead a high-profile media campaign to abolish this rule, and, as a result, clubs throughout India were forced to open their doors to all Indians.		After his return to India in 1958 (shortly after his English Channel victory), he was denied entry into the clubs due to their "whites only" policy. This compelled him to lead a high-profile media campaign to abolish this rule, and, as a result, clubs throughout India were forced to open their doors to all Indians. He initially practised Criminal Law at the [[Calcutta High Court]], but subsequently became a successful businessman.<ref name=Begging_recall/>

	He initially practised Criminal Law at the [[Calcutta High Court]], but subsequently became a successful businessman. His company was recognised by the [[Government of India]] as the country's second largest silk exporter.<ref name=Begging_recall/>		In 1977, the Communist leader [[Jyoti Basu]] requested him to join and campaign for the [[Communist Party of India (Marxist)]] in return for a high-profile government post, which Sen refused. With the CPI(M) victory, Basu attacked Sen's business and steadily undermined its functioning until it was forced to shut down permanently.<ref name=Begging_recall/>

	In 1977, the Communist leader [[Jyoti Basu]] requested him to join and campaign for the [[Communist Party of India (Marxist)]] in return for a high-profile government post. Sen refused ~~and instead filed his papers as an independent candidate against Basu~~. With the CPI(M) victory, Basu attacked Sen's business and steadily undermined its functioning until it was forced to shut down permanently~~..<ref name=Begging_recall/>~~

	Outside Sen's offices, factory and his retail shop, slogans and graffiti filled the walls. Strikes were staged on a regular basis in the garment factory, which brought work to a complete halt. In the silk screening and silk block print factory, truckloads of merchandise ready for export were set on fire. During all of this, the local police refused to help, and Sen's business was destroyed by the CPI(M) leadership and he was forced into bankruptcy. False cases were initiated against him and his house and office were raided repeatedly by the police and their assets seized. His bank accounts were frozen and all cash at home was confiscated by the authorities. The stress of this intense harassment brought on early onset of dementia at the age of 50.<ref name=Begging_recall/>

	== Death ==		== Death ==
	Sen died from a combination of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease at ~~the~~ age of 66 in June 1997.<ref name=Begging_recall/>		Sen died from a combination of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease at age 66 in June 1997.<ref name=Begging_recall/>

	== References ==		== References ==

imported>Gotitbro: Reverted 2 edits by Abhishek Sengupta 24 (talk): Rvt WP:LEADFIX, add in the body not in the lead

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Reverted 2 edits by Abhishek Sengupta 24 (talk): Rvt WP:LEADFIX, add in the body not in the lead

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{{short description|Indian swimmer}}
{{EngvarB|date=July 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2016}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Mihir Sen
| image =
| caption =
| birth_date = {{birth date |df=yes|1930|11|16}}
| birth_place = [[Purulia]], [[Manbhum]], [[Bengal Presidency]], British India
| death_date = {{death date and age|df=yes|1997|06|11|1930|11|16}}
| death_place = [[Kolkata|Calcutta]], [[West Bengal]], India
| spouse = Bella Weingarten Sen
| children = Supriya Sen
| occupation = Barrister, Businessman
| awards = [[Padma Shri]] in 1959 <br/>[[Padma Bhushan]] in 1967 <br/>Blitz Nehru Trophy in 1967
}}

'''Mihir Sen''' (16 November 1930 – 11 June 1997) was a famous Indian long distance swimmer and businessman. He was the first Indian to conquer the [[English Channel]] from [[Dover]] to [[Calais]] in 1958, and did so in the fourth fastest time (14 hrs & 45 mins). He was the only man to swim the oceans of the five continents in one calendar year (1966). These included the [[Palk Strait]], [[Dardanelles]], [[Bosporus|Bosphorus]], [[Gibraltar]], and the entire length of the [[Panama Canal]].<ref name=Begging_recall>{{cite web
| url = http://www.thestatesman.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=438094&catid=44
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130125073742/http://thestatesman.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=438094&catid=44
| url-status = dead
| archive-date = 25 January 2013
| title = Begging recall
| access-date = 26 January 2013 | work = Statesman News Service | publisher = The Statesman, 6 January 2013 }}</ref> This unique achievement earned him a place in [[The Guinness Book of Records]] as the "world's greatest long distance swimmer".<ref>{{cite web|title=Mihir Sen Hailed Greatest|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=P9oYG7HA76QC&dat=19700101&printsec=frontpage&hl=en|website=The Indian Express|access-date=9 April 2017|page=16|date=1 January 1970}}</ref>

== Early life ==
Mihir Sen was born on 16 November 1930 in Purulia, West Bengal, to physician Ramesh Sengupta and his wife, Lilabati. Largely due to the efforts of his mother Lilabati, the Sens moved to Cuttack when Mihir was eight, as Cuttack had better schools.<ref name=Begging_recall/>

Mihir graduated with a degree in law from the Utkal University in Bhubaneswar in Odisha. He wanted to travel to England to prepare himself for the bar but was constrained by lack of funds. However, with the financial help of then Chief Minister of Orissa, Biju Patnaik in 1950 he was able to board a ship to England to pursue his studies.

== Life in England ==
In England, Sen was hired at India House by the Indian Ambassador Krishna Menon. He enrolled at Lincoln's Inn to study Law on 21 November 1951. He worked all day at India House and studied at home at night. He couldn't afford to attend lectures at Lincoln's Inn and self-studied from the books he borrowed from their library. He was called to the Bar at Lincoln's Inn on 9 February 1954. During this time, He also met his future British wife, Bella Weingarten, at a dance at the International Youth Hostel in London.<ref name=Begging_recall/>

== Swimming career ==
[[File:Mihir Sen being presented a certificate by Lord Freyberg on behalf of the Counsel Swimming Association at a function held at the India House, London.jpg|thumb|Sen being presented a certificate by Lord Freyberg on behalf of the Counsel Swimming Association at a function held at the India House, London]]
Sen read an article in a local newspaper about [[Florence Chadwick]], the first American woman to swim the English Channel in 1950, and was inspired to repeat this feat for his country. At this time, he had hardly any experience in swimming, so sought lessons in at the local YMCA until he mastered the front crawl (UK / freestyle US) technique.<ref name=Begging_recall/>

On Sept 27, 1958, he catapulted to fame after conquering the English Channel from Dover to Calais <ref name = "Bose268">Bose, Anjali, ''Samsad Bangali Chariutabhidhan'', Vol II, {{in lang|bn}}p. 268, Sishu Sahitya Samsad Pvt. Ltd., {{ISBN|81-86806-99-7}}</ref> in the fourth fastest time (14 hours and 45 minutes). He returned to India a Nationa Hero and was considered to be one of the most prominent youth icons of his generation. In 1959, he was awarded the Padma Shri by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.

He then set out to become the first man to swim the oceans of the five continents in one calendar year (1966). Initially, he needed to raise Rs 45,000 to pay the Indian navy to accompany him to record and navigate the Palk Strait swim. Sen managed to raise half the money through sponsors (notably the Kolkata daily, ''The Statesman'') and the balance was provided by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. She further extended full support of the Indian Navy (The INS Sukanya and the INS Sharada) to accompany him for the Palk Strait swim.
Sen became the first Indian on record to swim across the Palk Straits on 5–6 April 1966 between Ceylon (Sri Lanka) and Dhanushkodi (India) in 25 hours and 36 minutes. On 24 August, he became the first Asian to cross the Straits of Gibraltar (Europe to Africa) in 8 hours and 1 minute, and on 12 September became the world's first man to swim across the 40-mile long Dardanelles (Gallipoli, Europe to Sedulbahir, Asia minor) in 13 hours and 55 minutes. In the same year, Sen was also the first Indian to swim the Bosphorus (Turkey) in 4 hrs and the first non-American (and third man) to swim across the entire (50-mile length) of the Panama Canal in 34 hrs and 15 mins on 29–31 October.

This achievement earned him a place in the Guinness Book of World Records for long distance swimming and he was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1967 by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. In the same year, he also won the Blitz Nehru Trophy for 'daring achievements in the seven seas of the world.'

== Life in India ==

After his return to India in 1958 (shortly after his English Channel victory), he was denied entry into the clubs due to their "whites only" policy. This compelled him to lead a high-profile media campaign to abolish this rule, and, as a result, clubs throughout India were forced to open their doors to all Indians.

He initially practised Criminal Law at the [[Calcutta High Court]], but subsequently became a successful businessman. His company was recognised by the [[Government of India]] as the country's second largest silk exporter.<ref name=Begging_recall/>

In 1977, the Communist leader [[Jyoti Basu]] requested him to join and campaign for the [[Communist Party of India (Marxist)]] in return for a high-profile government post. Sen refused and instead filed his papers as an independent candidate against Basu. With the CPI(M) victory, Basu attacked Sen's business and steadily undermined its functioning until it was forced to shut down permanently..<ref name=Begging_recall/>

Outside Sen's offices, factory and his retail shop, slogans and graffiti filled the walls. Strikes were staged on a regular basis in the garment factory, which brought work to a complete halt. In the silk screening and silk block print factory, truckloads of merchandise ready for export were set on fire. During all of this, the local police refused to help, and Sen's business was destroyed by the CPI(M) leadership and he was forced into bankruptcy. False cases were initiated against him and his house and office were raided repeatedly by the police and their assets seized. His bank accounts were frozen and all cash at home was confiscated by the authorities. The stress of this intense harassment brought on early onset of dementia at the age of 50.<ref name=Begging_recall/>

== Death ==
Sen died from a combination of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease at the age of 66 in June 1997.<ref name=Begging_recall/>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{commons category|Mihir Sen}}
{{Padma Shri Award Recipients in Sports}}
{{PadmaBhushanAwardRecipients 1960–69}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sen, Mihir}}
[[Category:1930 births]]
[[Category:1997 deaths]]
[[Category:Indian male swimmers]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Padma Bhushan in sports]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Padma Shri in sports]]
[[Category:People from Purulia district]]
[[Category:Utkal University alumni]]
[[Category:Members of Lincoln's Inn]]
[[Category:Swimmers from West Bengal]]
[[Category:Bengali Hindus]]
[[Category:Male long-distance swimmers]]