Hanaya Nisar, the Rising Young Star from Anantnag

Hanaya Nisar, 12, is a Kashmiri martial artist from Kokernag in Anantnag district, south Kashmir. She bagged the gold medal in the 2018 International Martial Arts Contest held in South Korea.

Despite her incredible feat, she has got neither support nor any appreciation from the state government. Talking with The Citizen, Hanaya Nisar said she needs support to excel in the field, as her family is unable to afford the expense.

She belongs to a poor family and hails from the same area where Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani was killed in 2016.

To fulfill her dream Hanaya Nisar's finances were facilitated by Abhimanyu Kohar, spokesperson of the Rashtriya Kisan Mahasangh. Hanaya said, “I am so happy that I am representing my country, and it wouldn't have been possible without Abhimanyu sir."