Srinagar: Water sports athletes in Kashmir took part in the first-ever underwater Tiranga rally at Pokribal lake on Thursday, creating a striking patriotic spectacle ahead of India’s 80th Independence Day.
The unique event saw athletes carrying and waving the national flag underwater while others displayed the Tricolour on racing boats. The rally combined the spirit of Independence Day with Kashmir’s growing interest in water sports.
Kashmir’s ‘Water Queen’ leads rally
The event was led by Bilquis Mir, popularly known as Kashmir’s ‘Water Queen’. Mir made history as India’s first female judge for kayaking and canoeing at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Mir said the rally was organised to celebrate Independence Day in an unusual manner and highlight the message that the Tricolour belongs everywhere — on land, in the air and underwater.
She also said the event aimed to showcase Kashmir’s potential as a destination for water sports and encourage greater interest in aquatic sporting activities.
Tricolour takes centre stage
Athletes participating in the rally carried the national flag during the underwater event, while racing boats bearing the Tricolour added to the patriotic atmosphere on the lake.
The event ahead of Independence Day offered a distinctive blend of sport, national pride and Kashmir’s natural landscape.
The initiative also highlighted the efforts of local athletes and sporting personalities to bring greater attention to water-based activities in the region.
A unique Independence Day celebration
With the 80th Independence Day approaching, the underwater rally added a memorable dimension to celebrations in Kashmir. The event demonstrated how sporting activities can provide a creative platform for expressing national pride while promoting the region’s water sports potential.