Against all odds, kayaker Mohsin Ali paddles his way to Kartavya Path

Mohsin Ali was barely seven years old when he decided that a kayak paddle — not a shikara oar — would define his future on the shimmering waters of Srinagar’s Dal Lake.

A decade later, backed by the unwavering support of his trailblazing coach Bilquis Mir, the 18-year-old kayaker is set to represent Jammu and Kashmir on the Republic Day tableau at Kartavya Path on January 26 — a rare sporting presence for a Union Territory largely known for tourism.

Hailing from Kand Mohalla, a small hamlet within Dal Lake often referred to as home to “people of water”, Mohsin has steadily carved a name for himself in Indian kayaking. His breakthrough moment came last year when he won the gold medal in the men’s 1000m kayaking event at the Khelo India Water Games, earning praise from Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a five-minute interaction on Mann ki Baat. “That conversation made me famous back home,” said Mohsin. “When I take out the shikara, people recognise me.”

An active competitor since 2018, Mohsin has already won 17 medals. The lanky teenager, now training at an academy in Koteshwar, Uttarakhand, is preparing for trials ahead of the World Championships in April. His long-term dream remains clear. “I want to win an Olympic medal for India one day,” he said.

While Mohsin credits his father — who juggled odd jobs to support the family — for standing by his ambitions, he reserves special gratitude for Bilquis Mir, the coach who spotted his talent early and nurtured it against formidable odds.

Mir, herself a former kayaker from Srinagar, has broken barriers throughout her career. She was the national coach of the Indian women’s team at the 2012 London Olympics and made history last year by becoming the first Indian to officiate as a canoeing and kayaking judge at the Paris Olympics.

“I have been training Mohsin since he was six or seven,” said the 38-year-old. “He has struggled a lot — injuries, outdated equipment, extreme weather — but always with a smile. I think of him as my own child.”

Mir believes Mohsin’s success is deeply personal. “People see medals, not the sacrifices behind them. Only an athlete and coach know that journey,” she said.

The challenges went beyond training. “Even diet was an issue,” Mir recalled. “A typical Kashmiri breakfast of kandru roti and nun chai isn’t enough for an athlete. We had to change basics.”

Mir’s own journey has been equally arduous. She began training in 1998 amid peak militancy in Kashmir and faced severe social backlash. “I was told, ‘ye ladki Kashmir ka naam kharab karegi’. But Allah was with me,” she said. More recently, she fought — and won — a legal battle after the High Court criticised the government for a “witch hunt” against her over an alleged wrongful appointment.

Despite limited infrastructure, Mir now runs a small academy in Srinagar. After Modi’s interaction with Mohsin, she received over 100 admission enquiries. “I can’t accommodate all, but I was happy Mohsin inspired others,” she said.

Pointing to kayaking’s Olympic potential, Mir added, “There are more than 15 Olympic medals in this sport. If India invests here, imagine the impact.”

As Mohsin prepares to roll past Kartavya Path, his journey reflects not just personal triumph, but the resilience of a sport — and a region — striving to rise.