Who was the first Indian swimmer to successfully cross the English Channel?

Introduction / Context:
The English Channel, the stretch of water between England and France, is famous for challenging long distance swimmers with its cold currents and unpredictable weather. Crossing it by swimming is considered a major achievement in sports history. This question asks about the first Indian to accomplish this feat, a landmark event that is often highlighted in general knowledge and sports sections of competitive examinations.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The objective is to identify the first Indian to swim across the English Channel.
• Options include Apsara, Durga Agarwal, Mihir Sen, Arati Saha, and Brojen Das.
• We assume the candidate is aware that both men and women attempted English Channel crossings from South Asia.
• Only one of the given names is recognised as the first Indian overall to achieve this.

Concept / Approach:
To answer this correctly, you must differentiate between overall first Indian, first Indian woman, and other notable swimmers from the region. Mihir Sen became the first Indian to swim across the English Channel in nineteen fifty eight, making him a pioneering figure in Indian long distance swimming. Arati Saha later became the first Indian woman and the first Asian woman to do so. Brojen Das was a famous swimmer from what is now Bangladesh. Therefore, among the options, Mihir Sen is the earliest Indian to have completed the Channel swim.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Focus on the key phrase first Indian, which refers to the earliest Indian, not specifically a woman or a later champion. Step 2: Recall that Mihir Sen achieved the English Channel crossing in the late nineteen fifties and was widely celebrated for this record. Step 3: Remember that Arati Saha remarkable achievement came later and is specifically noted as the first Indian woman swimmer to cross the Channel. Step 4: Recognise that Brojen Das, although a legendary swimmer, represented East Pakistan at the time and is not counted as the first Indian. Step 5: Conclude that Mihir Sen is the correct answer and select his name.

Verification / Alternative check:
Verification can be done by recalling standard sports general knowledge books, which usually list Mihir Sen in timelines of Indian firsts, especially under headings like first Indian to cross the English Channel. Separate entries then highlight Arati Saha as the first Indian woman. News articles commemorating major anniversaries of the crossing also describe Mihir Sen as the pioneer. Since none of the other options matches this precise historical distinction, this supports the choice of Mihir Sen as the correct answer.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Apsara and Durga Agarwal are not known in standard records as English Channel swimmers and are included as distractors. Arati Saha is a correct name only when the question specifically asks for the first Indian woman or first Asian woman, but she is not the first Indian overall, so option d is incorrect here. Brojen Das is associated with long distance swimming in the same region but is not counted as the first Indian to complete the Channel; his nationality and representation differ historically. Therefore, these options do not satisfy the exact requirement of the question.

Common Pitfalls:
A common pitfall is to confuse first Indian with first Indian woman and to pick Arati Saha because her achievement is also widely publicised. Another mistake is to rely only on partial memory of names without associating them with specific firsts and dates. A useful strategy is to maintain a short list of Indian firsts in different categories, such as first woman to climb Everest, first Indian in space, and first Indian to swim the English Channel, along with names and years. Regular revision of that list will help you answer such questions accurately and quickly.

Final Answer:
The first Indian swimmer to successfully cross the English Channel was Mihir Sen.