Srinagar girl shines at Nationals, bags over 60 medals
In Srinagar, a 16-year-old girl from Central Kashmir’s Srinagar district, Rutba Showkat, has garnered national acclaim in the martial arts arena, securing over 60 medals in the category. Specializing in Pencak Silat, an Indonesian martial art, Rutba’s dedication over the past eight years has resulted in notable success, including a national gold medal.
Initiating her martial arts journey to pursue something distinctive, Rutba aimed to stand out from her peers. Expressing her motivation to wattan daily (WD), she stated, “I wanted to do something different from other girls, as my taste was different from the very beginning.”
Rutba’s commitment and love for the sport have not only earned her recognition but have also served as inspiration for young girls in Srinagar. She encourages others with her advice, “Give your best, and don’t break your parents’ trust; don’t let anyone’s words stop you.”
Initially skeptical, Rutba’s family has become her strongest support system. Overcoming initial reservations, her father, mother, elder sister, and even her younger brother, now provide unwavering support. Rutba noted, “Firstly, they were afraid and didn’t support me that much, but after a short time, my family supported me a lot.”
Despite facing criticism from some relatives, Rutba has silenced doubters with her remarkable achievements. She shared, “So many of my relatives used to say you are a girl; this all is not good for you. This will result in disrespect for our family. But now I have shut their mouths with my achievements and success.”
Beyond martial arts, Rutba excels as an artist and calligrapher, earning awards and securing a place in the India Book of Records and Asia Book of Records. Her diverse talents have enriched her portfolio. Listing her achievements, Rutba mentioned awards such as the 2022 Femina Award, Magic Book of Record 2023 Best Achievers Awards, Bhartiya Ekta Samman in 2022, Achievers Awardee in 2023, Emerging Personality Award in 2023, and many more.
As an official plus referee of Kunbokat and Pencak Silat, Rutba acknowledged the government’s efforts in promoting sports but believes there is still room for improvement, stating, “The government is doing a great job but still needs improvement.”
