Pune Sisters Achieve Rare Milestone in Scuba Diving
Pune, 15th October 2025: Two sisters from the city, Ovee (12) and Ruchi (16) Malve, have achieved rare international recognition in the world of scuba diving, making Pune proud.
At just ten, Ovee began diving out of pure curiosity. She wanted to see the colourful world beneath the sea. In two years, she completed over 50 dives in Pondicherry, Goa, Andaman Islands, Maldives, and Thailand. By twelve, she achieved the Master Scuba Diver certification, the highest recreational level, held by fewer than two percent of divers worldwide.
“I wanted to explore what’s under the sea,” says Ovee. “The small, colourful fish, corals, and marine creatures fascinate me. It’s peaceful and full of life down there.”
Her sister, Ruchi, took her love for diving further. At fourteen, she became the world’s youngest cave diver, completing dives in Sra Keow 1, Sra Keow 2, and Klang Cave — an 800-metre-long system in Thailand known for its narrow passages and low visibility.
“Klang Cave was difficult,” says Ruchi. “The tunnels were tight, and it was completely dark. But it was exciting and taught me to stay calm.”
Ruchi has gone over 100 metres inside the cave and reached 30 metres depth, with a dive lasting 80 minutes.
Their father, Neeraj Malve, a scuba diver and founder of the 20-year-old Bangalore Mountaineering Club (BMC Adventures), says the sisters’ achievements come from discipline and awareness. “Adventure is not about danger; it’s about knowledge,” he explains. “Once you learn to respect nature, it rewards you.”
Both girls are students of Dhruv Global School, Sus, Pune, and say their school has been a strong source of encouragement. “Our school supported us completely,” says Ruchi. “They always cheered for us and understood our passion.”
Trained by PADI, SSI and IANTD certified instructors, the sisters continue to dive safely while spreading awareness about ocean conservation. Ovee now dreams of photographing marine life, and Ruchi plans to explore more cave systems across the world.
Their story shows that with curiosity, courage, and support, even the youngest adventurers can make the deepest impact.
“It’s not about records or numbers,” says Ovee. “It’s about the beauty you find when you dive.”
Ovee (12) and Ruchi (16) Malve from Pune, after a dive in Thailand. The sisters have achieved rare global milestones — Ovee as the world’s youngest Master Scuba Diver, and Ruchi as the world’s youngest Cave Diver.
