Tajamul's success brings cheers to violence-hit Valley

At a time when killings, burning of schools, strike and curfew have been making headlines in Kashmir, achievements of an eight-year-old girl from a remote village of the Valley has changed the mood in the violence-hit region.

Tajamul Islam, coached by the army in kick-boxing, recently won the gold medal in world sub-junior category championship in Italy which witnessed participation of 90 countries.
On Sunday afternoon, she was welcomed home at Muslinabad village of north Kashmir’s Bandipora district by hundreds of men and women who were dancing on the streets.

She was showered with rose petals and was accompanied by her friends, neighbours and relatives in a rally to her home amid slogans. “It is the  happiest day of my life...sharing such a big success with my family members especially with my sisters,” Tajamul told reporters.

Tajamul said she was nervous before going to Italy but her coaches helped her to emerge victorious.

“Every opponent was tough, especially the last one from the US. I am so happy that I made the whole country proud by winning the gold medal,” she added.

In April, after she was selected to participate in the world championship, Tajamul had expressed fear about facing international players. “I have some fear as I think what will the international players do to me in the ring, but then I know I will knock down everyone,” she had said.

Army support
Tajamul had earlier won the gold medal in sub-junior category at the 2015 national kickboxing championship held in New Delhi.

She also heaped praises on the army: “My coach Irshad sir and whole army team extended huge support to me and it is because of their help I succeeded. They really worked hard to prepare me for the international championship,” she said.
Tajamul excels in wushu and is also doing well in taekwondo.

The class II student had left her village for Delhi with her parents to prepare for the championship in September when Kashmir was reeling under violent protests.

Tajamul belongs to a low-income family – her father is a driver with a private construction company – and she had to spend Rs 1 lakh for her stay in Delhi. The expenses for air travel to Delhi was paid by the Army.

Tajamul was felicitated by the army and also received a cash reward of Rs 1 lakh and Rs 50,000 from Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and
Governor N N Vohra, respectively.