Youngsters from Himachal etch their name into record books

New Delhi: Pranav Sardana, 10 and his brother Ayush, 8, etched their name into the record books after they became the youngest sibling duo to qualify for Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) sea diving licence. While Pranav become the youngest boy from Himachal Pradesh to obtain the license from US based PADI, world`s largest recreational diving membership and diver training organisation, his brother Ayush is now a certified bubble maker in diving. The duo started their training in Bangalore, which involved the use of self-contained underwater breathing (SCUBA) equipment. After getting the necessary training in confined waters of swimming pool, both visited Vishakhapatnam and then headed to Port Blair and Neil islands, where they trained in recreational sea diving under the guidance of Johann and amantha of India Scuba Explorers. Born in an adventure loving family with their father being a naval officer and mother a skydiver, the brothers, both of whom are studying at Bishop Cotton School Shimla, said the main source of their inspiration are their parents."The main source of motivation has been our parents who are keen adventure sport enthusiasts," said Pranav."Initially we had a fear of underwater marine life and were apprehensive of use of underwater equipment but gradually we overcame these," he added. PTI