Srinagar, Dec 23: A touching interaction between Indian women’s cricket star Smriti Mandhana and a young girl from Kashmir has captured hearts, highlighting how big dreams continue to bloom even in the most remote corners of the Valley.
Aamina, a Class 3 student from the scenic Aru Valley in south Kashmir’s Pahalgam area, aspires to become a cricketer one day, drawing inspiration from her favourite player, Smriti Mandhana.
The young girl’s dream came into the spotlight after acclaimed filmmaker Kabir Khan shared a moment from his visit to Kashmir on social media.
In his post on Instagram as per news agency JKNS, Kabir Khan wrote, “Walking with my camera in Kashmir always rewards me with magical moments,” Kabir wrote. “Like this little girl in Aru who wanted me to tell @smriti_mandhana that she is her favourite player. I hope Smriti gets to see this post. Or the boys whose playground has a mountain stream as the boundary. If you hit a six, the ball will flow all the way down the valley into the Jhelum river.”
The filmmaker’s post vividly portrayed the passion for cricket thriving among children in the region despite limited facilities.
The post soon caught the attention of Smriti Mandhana, who responded with a heartfelt message. “Please give the little champ in Aru a big hug from me and tell her I’m cheering for her too,” Mandhana wrote, turning a simple wish into a moment of encouragement and national recognition.
Kabir Khan later replied, expressing happiness that Mandhana saw the post and said he would share her message with Aamina during his next visit. For many, especially young girls in Kashmir, Mandhana’s words symbolised hope, motivation and the belief that talent and ambition know no boundaries.
Kabir replied to star cricketer, “I am so glad you got to see this post. I’m going to show her hour message the next time i see her. You are true inspiration.”
The moment stands as a reminder that sports continue to inspire dreams and connect lives, even in the Valley’s far-flung landscapes, where determination often outweighs limitations. (JKNS)
