For over two decades now, Bandipora has lived through deadly shoot-outs, burning of schools and unending funeral processions. But on Sunday, this town in north Kashmir witnessed a rare, almost forgotten, scene: hundreds of men and women dancing on the streets in joy.
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The reason for this outpouring of elation was the arrival of local girl Tajamul Islam, an eight-year old coached by the Army, who struck gold and became the world sub-junior kickboxing champion last week in Italy.
Kickboxing isn't a sport for the faint-hearted. A combat sport that blends boxing and kicking, you could be at the receiving end of a fierce roundhouse kick or shaken to the bone by a right hook. "I was nervous before going to Italy but my coaches encouraged me. Then I thought about the image of Kashmir and of India and ultimately, I made it," little Tajamul said.
Tajamul Islam had earlier won the gold medal in sub-junior category at the 2015 national kickboxing championship held in New Delhi. The gritty class II student of the Army-run Goodwill School in Bandipora trained for two months in New Delhi. "She is a brilliant student and has earned a freeship," said her father Ghulam Mohammad Lone, a driver with a private construction company.
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Tajamul was all praise for the Army. "I am indebted to my parents, coaches, including Rawat sir, Yogesh sir and Dalal sir. Rawat sir really worked hard to prepare me for the international championship. The Army extended huge support to me," she said.
Tajamul left her village Tarkpora, located about 65km from Srinagar, for Delhi with her parents in September to prepare for the championship when the state was reeling under violent protests that started in July after the killing of Hizbul terrorist Burhan Wani.
Bandipora is also the district which recorded the maximum number of schools being burnt during the ongoing four month unrest in Kashmir valley. Lone said he spent over Rs 1 lakh on her stay and other expenses during the training period, while the Army paid for the entire family's air travel.
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"I have two sisters and two brothers, who are also studying in army school and Kendriya Vidyalaya in Bandipora. Army has been kind in providing good education to the urban population in particular," Tajamul said.
She was felicitated by the Army on Thursday and received cash reward worth Rs 1 lakh and Rs 50,000 from CM Mehbooba Mufti and governor NN Vohra. Tajamul is now preparing for a kickboxing competition to be held in Bihar. Interestingly, her sister is also competing in the same championship.