The rhythemic flow of a shikara gliding through Dal Lake is part of Kashmir’s ancient heritage. That flow has taken a new turn as a local boy from Srinagar 17-year-old Mohsin, elevated his rowing skill into a moment of sporting history.
With the great determination, he rowed through the waters to achieve Valley’s first gold medal at the ongoing Khelo India Water Sports Festival.
The calm of the lake was stired by loud and ecstatic chants of “Mohsin! Shabhash, Mohsin!” from the banks just after the Class 12 student surged towards the finish line of the 1000m kayaking contest.
His win was not only a personal victory but also a proud moment for the Jammu and Kashmir.
“I am so happy. I defeated kayakers who have competed in China and Europe. This is a big thing for me,” Mohsin said moments after his win, greeted warmly by his coach, Bilquis Mir, herself a former international paddler and Olympic judge.
Life for Mohsin is not confined to competitive arenas. A student of SP Higher Secondary School in Srinagar, he spends most evenings ferrying tourists across Dal Lake on his family’s shikara. The modest income he earns helps him afford the diet and nutrition required to pursue kayaking at a serious level. Growing up in Kand Mohalla, right next to the lake, the water has always been his second home.
Mohsin credits his father, a carpenter, for instilling in him the belief that sport could shape his future. “My father tells me that kayaking is my ticket out of Dal to see the world,” he shared proudly. That vision, combined with relentless effort, has already begun to bear fruit.
Coach Bilquis Mir sees his victory as just the start of a promising journey. “Mohsin was only seven when he came to me to learn kayaking. He has come a long way since, striving to get better each day. I think this is just the beginning,” Mir said, brimming with pride.
Despite the golden moment, Mohsin remains conscious of the challenges ahead. Training at a professional level requires resources far beyond what his family can afford. “Only I know how difficult it has been just to be able to afford the diet a kayaker needs to compete in such events,” he admitted. His words underline the struggles faced by many young athletes in India, whose potential often hinges not on talent but on access to proper facilities and financial support.
The Khelo India Water Sports Festival, which continues until August 23, is only the second Khelo India event hosted in Jammu and Kashmir after the Winter Games in Gulmarg. This edition showcases six disciplines — rowing, canoeing, kayaking, water skiing, shikara racing, and dragon boat racing.
Launched in 2017-18, Khelo India is designed to nurture grassroots talent and create pathways for young athletes like Mohsin to break through. For the boy from Dal Lake, Thursday’s gold medal is more than a victory — it is proof that dreams can indeed flow beyond the waters of home and into the larger world of sport.
