A Siliguri-based troupe performs a ballet on water at the club. A Telegraph picture

Siliguri, Jan. 30: He doesn’t like the “disabled” label.

“Since I have beaten other normal swimmers, who is handicapped — them or me?” asks Masudur Rahman Baidya, now 38. He has achieved all his swimming feats, which includes the crossing of the English Channel and the Strait of Gibraltar, without his feet.

And today, Masudur rubbed off a lot of his love for water by urging the people of Siliguri to learn swimming. “You have the opportunity now, so instead of giving all the attention to cricket, take to the water,” he said.

The man, whose legs had to be amputated below the knee after an accident, said he has plans to cross 10 more channels during his lifetime.

Masudur was here at the opening of Siliguri Club, a new address for sports and health enthusiasts, on the Eastern Bypass near its junction with Iskcon Mandir Road. The highlight of the club is a huge all-weather, heated indoor swimming pool, which measures 25 m x 10 m and holds six lakh litres of water.

“If, by my presence here today, even 10 persons are encouraged to take up swimming, I shall return to offer them some training. I want thousands of Masudurs and Bula Chowdhurys to be produced from Bengal,” the long-distance swimmer said.

The club was inaugurated by urban development minister Asok Bhattacharya, who was impressed by the pool. “I don’t think Calcutta has such a swimming pool. I must congratulate the person behind the endeavour, more so because she was an ordinary housewife and had the courage to take up such a project,” he said.

Shibani Pal, the proprietor, had shown a lot of determination in arranging for the finance and other infrastructure, he added, hoping that more people would learn swimming, now that the facility was there.

On her part, Pal urged the minister to arrange for public transport — either autos or buses — so that children who take up swimming lessons at the club could reach it and return home.

Among the other activities that the club has to offer are a squash court of international standards, a Jacuzzi, sauna and steam bath, aerobics, hydro-therapy massage and a multi-gym. Bengal’s water polo coach, Biplab Dutta Banik, was also present. “He has arranged for two national-level trainers at the pool,” said Debashis Pal, Shibani’s husband.

Later, Masudur told reporters that he planned to cross Palk Strait in July this year. “I need up to Rs 5 lakh for each expedition and will have to rely on sponsors. My aim is to cross 12 waterways while I’m able.”