Bilquis Mir, recognised as the "aqua woman" of the Kashmir Valley, has achieved another notable milestone. Bilquis, a champion in water sports, particularly in Kayaking and Canoeing, has secured the distinction of being the first woman from India to serve as a jury member at the upcoming Summer Olympics in Paris.

Bilquis Mir, a former champion and coach in water sports hailing from Srinagar, has represented India in numerous national and international championships. With a career that commenced at the age of six on the renowned Dal Lake in Srinagar, Bilquis has garnered extensive experience in the field.

"It's a proud moment not only for me but the whole country that India will be a part of the upcoming jury at the Olympics in 2024. It's a dream come true. I started my sports career at the age of six and finally, we are there, India is there. Everyone has a dream of reaching there, and I will be the first woman to be there from my country," remarked Bilquis.

The Indian Olympic Association has officially appointed Bilquis Mir, as confirmed in a letter addressed to the Jammu and Kashmir government. Bilquis has a distinguished history of representing the nation on numerous occasions, serving as the coach for the women's canoeing team.

Additionally, she holds the distinction of being the sole Indian woman and the first from Jammu and Kashmir to have been selected as a jury member at the 19th Asian Games, hosted in Hangzhou, China.

Bilquis Mir reflected on the challenges she faced in excelling at the international level, particularly as a Kashmiri girl commencing her journey from Dal Lake, where awareness about water sports, especially for girls, was lacking.

Despite the obstacles, she emphasised the importance of perseverance and self-belief in pursuing one's dreams, asserting that determination can overcome any barrier. Bilquis expressed her aspiration to elevate her Union Territory and country onto the global stage and to witness more girls like herself representing the nation.

In recognition of her achievements, Bilquis was honoured with an award from the government of Jammu and Kashmir. Additionally, she has been the recipient of the Devi Award.

Image source: WION News