Bhubaneswar Dubai, Dec 17: Dubai-based Odia teenager Tisya Panigrahi, originally from Sambalpur, has achieved a remarkable milestone by completing her 50th scuba dive at the age of 15. The record-setting dive took place at the renowned Kandooma Thila site in the Maldives, known for its strong currents, deep waters, and rich marine biodiversity.

Under the supervision of South African instructor Luca, Tisya descended 100 feet underwater, marking her 50th dive, an achievement that makes her the youngest Odia diver to reach this milestone. She was accompanied by her father and long-time dive partner, Advanced Scuba Diver Priyadarshee Panigrahi.

Media reports indicate that no other Odia diver has completed 50 dives at such a young age, placing Tisya in a unique position within India’s diving community. The Odia father-daughter duo navigated challenging currents using reef hooks and encountered marine species such as sharks and eagle rays, an experience they described as both thrilling and unforgettable.

Born in 2010 in Sambalpur, Tisya has lived in Dubai for the past 13 years, with a brief stint in Vietnam. She began scuba diving in 2020 at the age of 10 and has since earned distinctions, including Odisha’s youngest scuba diver, youngest advanced scuba diver, and youngest Odia to dive 100 feet.

Beyond her personal achievements, Tisya promotes marine conservation, using her growing platform to highlight the urgent need to protect the oceans. She regularly takes part in underwater clean‑up drives, removing plastic waste, fishing lines, and other debris that threaten marine ecosystems. She also contributes insightful articles to diving magazines, where she writes about responsible diving practices, the importance of coral preservation, and the impact of pollution on marine life.