Tamil Nadu-based Uma Mani turned to deep-sea scuba diving on the age of 49. At the moment, a decade later, she has made it her life’s mission to lift consciousness about marine air pollution.

Equipped in a wetsuit, flippers, a diving masks, and about 20 kg of different paraphernalia, 49-year-old Uma Mani was about to take her first plunge into the deep sea waters of Maldives. 

“I used to be standing on the fringe of the diving board and after I regarded on the huge sea, I acquired scared. My scuba diver yelled at me to leap. However I refused,” she remembers in a dialog with The Higher India.

“It was like taking a giant step into the water earlier than going deep inside it with the stress. Initially, this course of regarded just a little messy to me. I doubted myself, however then I closed my eyes and remembered that it was my first and the final alternative. If I give up now, I’ll remorse it for the remainder of my life,” she provides.

Uma, who was coaching to grow to be an authorized scuba diver, took this resolution a yr earlier than turning 50. Since then, there was no trying again. “After I dived, I lastly noticed the coral reefs for the primary time. My age by no means got here into my thoughts,” she shares fortunately.

At the moment, the homemaker-turned-scuba diver has made it her life’s mission to lift consciousness about rising marine air pollution and defending coral reefs.

From a contented homemaker to a scuba diver

Born right into a conservative household in Chennai, Uma didn’t have many aspirations. After pursuing larger research in literature from the Madras College, she acquired married and moved to the Maldives in 2004 the place her husband labored as a physician.

“I used to be at all times fascinated about portray since childhood however I by no means acquired an opportunity to study artwork professionally. I used to be not launched to an environment that fosters skilled progress or dialog for girls. So, I acquired married and focussed on being housewife,” she says.

“I used to be tutoring children at residence however I by no means did a full-time job. I travelled with my household, wherever my husband’s work took us. Though I used to be a contented housewife, I couldn’t assist however really feel that I ought to have focussed on my profession or pursued a PhD,” provides Uma, who presently resides in Dindigul, Tamil Nadu.

It was solely on the age of 45 that Uma revived her curiosity in portray. “After I began to color, I felt like I used to be reborn. Then, I noticed a documentary on coral reefs which inspired me to learn extra about them. I began portray them and holding exhibitions,” she shares.

As soon as whereas talking on the affect of air pollution on coral reefs, she was mocked by certainly one of her cousins. “He requested me if I had seen coral reefs in actual life, or how the ocean even regarded underwater, or what the color of the ocean was. Though it seems to be blue and delightful exterior, it’s stuffed with air pollution inside. This sparked my curiosity to dive deep into the water,” she provides.

Ultimately, Uma took up swimming to grow to be a diver. “My household supported me on this resolution. The identical yr, my husband and I had been to have a good time our twenty fifth wedding ceremony anniversary. As a gift, my son paid for my certification course and inspired me to study to dive. I suggested myself to grab the chance because it hardly involves anybody at this age,” she says.

As Uma dived in deep, she was bowled over by the underwater magnificence. “It’s a surreal world. When the water envelopes your physique, you neglect concerning the exterior world and the concerns. Regardless of carrying such heavy gear on my waist and shoulders, I felt mild as a feather. It appeared the time had stopped, and earlier than me had been these superbly colored coral reefs. I used to be overwhelmed to see them for the primary time,” she provides.

For oceans turning into rubbish bins

With time and expertise, Uma’s curiosity within the coral reefs slowly became a deep concern.

“Each time I dive into the water, I see the coral reefs destroyed additional by irresponsible waste disposal, oil spills, untreated sewage, and poisonous chemical substances which can be dumped into the ocean. That is very disheartening. Oceans are the most important carbon sink serving to us breathe good oxygen however we preserve utilizing them as our largest rubbish bins,” she says.

Consequently, coral reefs — thought of one of the vital important marine ecosystems — are dying at an alarming price. Motivated to take motion, she met documentary filmmaker, Priya Thuvassery, to induce her to make a movie on coral reefs.

And her efforts paid off and the way!

In 2019, their award-winning documentary titled ‘Coral Girl’ was launched, that includes Uma’s journey to lift consciousness of the injury being brought on to marine life. “In India, we don’t discuss concerning the coral reefs, so this movie was an eye-opener,” she provides.

Over time, Uma hosted a number of portray exhibitions throughout the nation to attract curiosity to the topic. “The coral reefs in my work usually are not pleased anymore. At the moment, I depict the partitions of the ocean on my canvas and paint their sufferings. I imagine artwork is a really highly effective medium to result in social transformation.”

It has been a decade since her first dive, however Uma continues to lift consciousness about marine air pollution in colleges, faculties, and company organisations. Lately, she was named the ‘Earth Champion of the Month’ by Sony BBC Earth. 

“Personally, the transformation from being a homemaker to a scuba diver has given me an immense sense of duty. The oceans wouldn’t have a voice. I’m one of many few who might talk the truth. My work is small and it’ll take a complete village to convey a couple of change. We don’t simply want to speak the discuss however stroll the stroll as effectively,” she provides.

(Edited by Padmashree Pande; All pictures: Uma Mani)