Subhadeep Dutta, the Tamluk coach nurturing talent in a pond
In the lively town of Tamluk, West Bengal, a group of children practice their swimming kicks at the shallow end of a pond. In the water with them and correcting every stroke is Subhadeep Dutta. At first glance, Dutta might seem like any other Tamluk resident, but his journey and efforts have become a beacon of hope, especially for those passionate about swimming in the town. Dutta is the driving force behind the Tamralipta Matangini Swimming Center, dedicated to teaching local youth how to swim. Operating from a simple pond with no standard amenities, the 39-year old has managed to nurture several district and state-level swimmers. The need to introduce activity Dutta’s journey began in 2021, in the aftermath of the COVID lockdown, when children had become habituated to watching videos on mobile devices with little outdoor activity. “The prolonged lockdown had a severe impact on children and young adults,” Dutta explained to The Bridge. As a swimming coach, he saw the urgent need to reintroduce physical activity into children’s lives. With sheer determination, he …