<P> Arati Gupta née Saha ( 24 September 1940 -- 23 August 1994 ) was an Indian long distance swimmer . Born in Calcutta , West Bengal , British India , Arati was initiated in swimming at the early age of four , and her talent was spotted by Sachin Nag . She was inspired by Indian swimmer Mihir Sen to try to cross the English Channel . In 1959 she became the first Asian woman to swim across the English Channel . In 1960 , she became the first Indian female sportsperson to be awarded Padma Shri . </P>
<P> Arati Gupta née Saha ( 24 September 1940 -- 23 August 1994 ) was an Indian long distance swimmer . Born in Calcutta , West Bengal , British India , Arati was initiated in swimming at the early age of four , and her talent was spotted by Sachin Nag . She was inspired by Indian swimmer Mihir Sen to try to cross the English Channel . In 1959 she became the first Asian woman to swim across the English Channel . In 1960 , she became the first Indian female sportsperson to be awarded Padma Shri . </P>
who was the first female sportsperson to be awarded padma shri
who was the first female sportsperson to be awarded padma shri
Arati Gupta née Saha
Arati Gupta née Saha