Bhubaneswar: Dubai-based Odia girl Tisya Panigrahi achieved a distinction by diving 40 feet deep into the Gulf of Oman off the eastern coast of United Arab Emirates recently.
Having obtained her Junior Open Water scuba diver’s license, 10-year-old Tisya dived at two popular dive sites of UAE — Martini Rock and Hole in the Wall — on October 9. She dived along with her father Priyadarshee Panigrahi who is himself a certified open water scuba diver. Tisya went down 40 feet at the ‘Martini Rock’ dive site while she went down 37 feet at the ‘Hole in the Wall’ dive site.
The license was granted by the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI). PADI is the world’s largest scuba diving training and certification organisation. It was founded in 1966 in Illinois, United States of America.
“The underwater world is very beautiful and colourful. I saw a lot of different types of fishes and corals. You feel weightless in the calm and peaceful underwater environment,” Tisya said. She also said that this diving license gives her the opportunity to explore 70 per cent of the world — which is underwater.
Her father was also proud of her daughter’s achievement. “It is a great feeling to hold your daughter’s hand and explore the secrets of the sea,” said Priyadarshee, who had always wanted to dive with Tisya and now that dream has been realised.
10-year-old became Odisha’s youngest scuba diver on August 22 when she successfully qualified for the Junior Open Water Scuba Diver License.
Tisya was born in Sambalpur and happens to be the granddaughter of former Minister and Member of Parliament from Odisha, Late Sriballav Panigrahi and Educationist Late Sunanda Panigrahi. Tisya is also the granddaughter of former MLA of Sambalpur, Dr Raseswari Panigrahi.
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