Tuesday 19 February 2019 | Maha Sud 15, Samvat 2075
Tue 19 Feb 2019
Sufyan Shiekh became the first Gujarati to swim the English Channel at the young age of 16 years. He completed the 38km crossing in under 12 hours, and was the youngest competetior in the field.
Sufyan Shiekh became the first Gujarati to swim the English Channel at the young age of 16 years. He completed the 38km crossing in under 12 hours, and was the youngest competitor to swim the English Channel this year.
On hearing of this amazing feat, especially of a young child who is from Ahmedabad, Gujarat, Acharya Swamishree immediately invited Sufyan Shiekh to Shree Swaminarayan Temple, London. On Sufyan’s arrival to the temple, on behalf of Shree Swaminarayan Gadi Sansthan, Acharya Swamishree honoured him with a Prasad paag and put on a kum-kum chandlo. Acharya Swamishree gave His divine blessing for his exceptional achievement and future endeavours. A cheque of 501 Pounds was also donated to Sufyan.
Sufyan’s mother, Kamalben, who was also present for the occasion, was overwhelmed by the honouring of her son by Acharya Swamishree and was also honoured by the trustees of Shree Swaminarayan Gadi Sansthan.
His Divine Holiness Acharya Swamishree Purushottampriyadasji Maharaj is the spiritual leader of Maninagar Shree Swaminarayan Gadi Sansthan. He is the current and fifth heir in the lineage of ascetic Acharyas, which descends directly from Lord Shree Swaminarayan. He is the incumbent Acharya of Shree Swaminarayan Gadi.