<P> In 1948, she participated in the national championship held at Mumbai . She won silver in 100 metres freestyle and 200 metres breast stroke and won bronze in 200 metres freestyle . She made an all - India record in 1949 . At the 1951 West Bengal state meet, she clocked 1 minute 37.6 seconds in 100 metres breast stroke and broke Dolly Nazir's all - India record . At the same meet, she set new state - level record in 100 metres freestyle, 200 metres freestyle and 100 metres back stroke . </P> <P> She represented India at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics along with compatriot Dolly Nazir . She was one of the four women participants and the youngest member of the Indian contingent . At the Olympics, she took part in 200 metres breast stroke event . At the heats she clocked 3 minutes 40.8 seconds . After returning from the Olympics, she lost in 100 metres freestyle to her sister Bharati Saha . After the loss, she concentrated only on breast stroke . </P> <P> She used to take part in long distance swimming competition in the Ganges . Arati got the first inspiration to cross the English Channel from Brojen Das . At the 1958 Butlin International Cross Channel Swimming Race, Brojen Das became the first among the men and earned the distinction of being the first person from the Indian subcontinent to cross the English Channel . Greta Andersen, a Danish - born female swimmer from United States clocked 11 hours and 1 minute and stood first among both men and women . This inspired the female swimmers all over the world . Arati sent a congratulatory message to Brojen Das on his victory . He replied back stating that she too shall be able to achieve it . He proposed the name of Arati to the organizers of the Butlin International Cross Channel Swimming Race for the next year's event . </P> <P> At the inspiration of Brojen Das, Arati began to seriously think about participating in the event . Mihir Sen welcomed her decision and encouraged her . Dr. Arun Gupta, the assistant executive secretary of Hatkhola Swimming Club took the major initiative in organising Arati's participation at the event . He organised exhibits of Arati's swimming prowess as a part of fund raising programs . Apart from him, Jamininath Das, Gour Mukherjee and Parimal Saha too provided their help in organising Arati's trip . However, in spite of sincere efforts of her sympathizers, funds raised still fell short of the target . At this point eminent social work Sambhunath Mukherjee and Ajay Ghoshal took up the matter with Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy, the Chief Minister of West Bengal . He arranged an amount of ₹ 11,000 . Jawahar Lal Nehru, the Prime Minister of India, too showed keen interest in Arati's endeavour . </P>

Who was the first indian to cross english channel