KASHMIRI GIRLS: BREAKING STEREOTYPES
Article 370 was incorporated by the presidential order but many a times looked as the stumbling block in the pathway of centre’s outreach to the state and its beautiful people. Getting away with it offered direct contact channel between centre and state, rendering greater congregation of Kashmiris into the country. The situation in Kashmir is normal and people are happy over the abrogation of article 370 provisions as they will now get benefits and entitlements on par with citizens of rest of the country. The people are welcoming it all over the country. The people in the valley have supported the government’s move.
Various central laws are now applicable in the state which includes Right to Education where 25 percent student from economically weaker section would get admission, it was not applicable before. People did not get benefit under various schemes for OBCs. People from SC & ST community would get political reservation. Moreover sports facilities will also take a boost in the state as they are inadequate as of now. For the motivated and talented youth, abrogation of article 370 paved way to excel in sports. To showcase the zeal and enthusiasm, the girl from the valley is role model for the others.
Young Kashmiri girls, who have now excelled in many sports, have added another feather to their cap as many of them are earning laurels in alpine skiing. The junior skier girls of the U-19 group have shone in many of the events that have taken place at national and international levels. Bringing medals back home, many of these students have come a long way. They are also inspiring a number of young girls from the valley, who are now showing a keen interest in skiing, which once was a male dominated sport in Kashmir.
Syed Haniya Zehra, has been skiing the mountains of Gulmarg since her childhood. Since class 4, she had been working hard and determined to achieve greater heights in the sport. Having been trained by Mr Manzoor Ahmed Ladakhi, getting selected in the Asian Games Junior Winter Championship was a dream come true for her. It was the first time that she got an opportunity to display her talent at an international level. In 2014, she participated in Asian Junior Championship held in Dizin, Iran but felt disappointed as she could not get any position for the country. In 2015, Haniya had participated in alpine skiing at Pyoenghang, South Korea where she won the gold and wrote a new chapter in the history of sports of Kashmir. Haniya attributes her success to her coach Mr Manzoor Ahmed Ladakhi. She was decorated with Sher-i- Kashmir award for being outstanding sportsperson.
Inspite of facing challenges like limited infrastructural support and encouragement from the local population, these young girls from Kashmir are shining in the male dominated sport of alpine skiing, and bringing laurels for the country.
