Women today are not only participating in all the activities that previously they were not allowed to, but are also ruling it. Several sports today have women not only participating but winning various competitions, encouraging more women to join them in the league.
In one such instance, a Kashmiri woman and mother of two will challenge her own fears and staid conventions to participate in a snow car rally. Called ‘Frozen Rush’, this is the second edition of the only snow car race in the country where Dr Sharmeen Mushtaq, a medical professional, will be the first Kashmiri woman to participate the risky snow car rally in Gulmarg,
Sharmeen is all set to compete with men in the two-day car rally that goes through a rather challenging pathway. The fever of the country’s only Snow AutoCross caught up with Dr Sharmeen a few years ago and she saw this as an opportunity to test her nerves and skills. She says that she ‘likes to compete and live her dreams in the rare God-sent opportunity. Her family, particularly her father, and brother.
“My two kids have given me a thumbs up too. Inshallah, I will be there,” she said.
Sharmeen has been “following the activities of car racers closely since many of her relatives are already a part of their club. Asked how she relates her profession as a doctor to her passion for motorsports, she said, “Why not? If you have it in you and you are provided with a well-structured platform to show your skills then you must give it a try at least.”
The two-day circuit will start on January 20 and there would be around 50 participants. The sub-zero temperatures of Gulmarg along with an unforgiving terrain is bound to have a road that is slippery, and cars without chains will not be allowed to go above the altitude of 10,000 feet. ”I have got a platform and will give it my best shot. Winning and losing is not important but participating is,” Dr Sharmeen, who is a medical officer in a Srinagar hospital told News 18.
This will be a time-based lap race where the race track circuit is 1.25 km in Gulmarg. Each car is allowed 2 laps. Only 4×4 vehicles are allowed to participate in the event, and winners will be announced on the basis of fastest lap timings.
