MIHIR SEN PADMA SHRI (1959) & PADMA BHUSHAN (1967) Famous Long Distance Swimmer of India with numerous Records Appearing in Guinness Book of World Records   About Names Mihir Sen Date of Birth 16 November 1930 Date of Death 11 June 1997 Profession / Traits / Activities Indian Swimmer (Long Distance) Special Achievements / Events First Indian to conquer the English Channel from Dover to Calais on September 27, 1958.  The only man to earn the distinction of swimming the Oceans of the five continents in one calender year (1966). This included the Palk Strait, Dardanelles, Bosphorpous, The straits of Gibraltar and the entire length of the Panama Canal.  The first Indian on record to swim across the Palk Straits on April 5–6, 1966 between Ceylon (Sri Lanka) and Dhanushkodi (India) in 25 hours and 36 minutes. On August 24, 1966 he was the first Asian to cross the Straits of Gibraltar (Europe to Africa) in 8 hours and 1 minute. On Sept 12, 1966 he 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 Oct, 1966. • This unique achievement earned him a place in the Guinness Book of World Records for long distance swimming. Awards & Accolades Padma Shri -1959 Padma Bhushan in 1967 Blitz Nehru Trophy for daring achievements in the seven seas of the world.   Links to other pages on this topic  CROSSWORD on the subject  Fill-the-Gaps QUIZ on the subject    VIDEOS   Fill-the-Gaps QUIZ on History of this day   QUOTES of the day  (of SWAMI VIVEKANANDA)