, Jan. 28 -- Kargil (Ladakh), January 28; Samina Khatoon's mother gave a mild disapproval about taking up a sport which was predominantly pursued by boys in Ladakh's Kargil District. "You will turn black and blue," her mother had warned her. However, Samina could not resist the pair of skiing boots lying idle in her house. The boots were a gifted by her uncle to her elder brother whose disinterest in the pair proved to be Samina's glide to glory.

Fifteen-year old Samina Khatoon, studying in the 9th standard in Mutahhary Public School, Baroo (Kargil), didn't want to give up the opportunity and so juggled between school and practice, 2020 onwards, and won her parents' approval along the way. Her classmates envied her. However, they helped ...