Bengal initiative

Dr Syama Prasad Mukherjee Swimming: India is hosting the BIMSTEC Aquatics Championships in the national capital which will see athletes from the Bay of Bengal region competing under several disciplines at the Dr Syama Prasad Mukherjee Swimming Pool complex starting Tuesday.

The sporting competition involving South Asian and Southeast Asian nations is said to be the ‘brainchild’ of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and over the next four days, it will see sportspersons from seven countries compete for top honours.

BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) comprises five members from South Asia (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal and Sri Lanka) and two members from Southeast Asia (Myanmar and Thailand). The grouping was formed in 1997 to foster closer economic and social relations among member nations.