Physiotherapist Ridwana to contest from Anantnag

Rifat Mohidin

Advertisement

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, March 29

While the situation in Kashmir, where contesting elections is an uphill task, continues to be uncertain and fearful, a leading physiotherapist, Dr Ridwana Sanam, has filed her nomination from the volatile Anantnag Parliamentary constituency as an Independent candidate.

Sanam, who has an established career in physiotherapy, said contesting elections was the need of the hour as she wanted to help people in the district that had been marred by violence.

She hails from Anantnag and is known throughout the country for her work. It is the situation in Kashmir that motivated her to contest the poll, Sanam said.

“Someone has to come forward for the people’s issues. I always wanted to become a member of Parliament, the house of people. My motivation is only to work for the betterment of people, particularly women and youth. I already have an established career but I left behind a luxurious lifestyle to come back home,” she said.

Ridwana said in her constituency, Anantnag, women have multiple issues which she wanted to address. “Women are powerful but they are being suppressed. I have always taken on challenges, so I do not fear anything. I know this too is challenging so I want to do it,” she said.

Being an expert, Ridwana said health and fitness sector is ailing in south Kashmir and needs attention. “In south Kashmir, women have health issues also. There are no facilities, no infrastructure, no good hospitals. There is a need for exposure and employment as well. There is a need for opportunities. Young people need mentors and women need financial independence, that is what I want to work for,” she said.

The nominations for Srinagar and Baramulla Parliamentary constituencies have been filed already. Sanam is the only female candidate from Kashmir so far who has announced to contest the parliamentary elections.