Google Doodle honours swimmer Arati Saha on her 80th birth anniversary

Google Doodle honoured swimmer Arati Saha with a special graphic to commemorate her 80th birth anniversary on September 24. Arati Saha, a long distance swimmer, became the first Asian woman to swim across the English Channel on September 29, 1959.

Today's special Google Doodle is an animated graphic that features Arati Saha swimming 42 miles from Cape Gris Nez, France to Sandgate, England to cross the English Channel. The doodle has been illustrated by Kolkata native and guest artist Lavanya Naidu.

Born in 1940 in Calcutta, Arati Saha learnt swimming at the mere age of four on the banks of the Hooghly River. She was soon noticed by Sachin Nag, one of India's top competitive swimmers, and was mentored by him. At the age of five, Arati Saha won her first swimming gold medal in 110 yards freestyle during a competition.