SRINAGAR: In Kashmir Valley, two women named Mahreen Amin, 24, and Aliya Farooq, 36, have set up a gym training centres exclusively for women, transforming the way women in urban Kashmir think about physical fitness.
Mehreen, a graduate in commerce while speaking to Times of India said ‘Fitness Hub Healthcare Centre’ near Jamia Masjid in Nowhatta, at 7 am and closes at 7 pm every day, religiously. “My father used to run a business of his own. But he is suffering from lung cancer and is unable to work anymore. He requires regular attention in the hospital. I have two brothers but they are studying outside the state. So I run my business and attend my father as well.”
“They gladly pay 1,500 a month fee for the training I provide them to keep them physically fit,” Mahreen said.
Jammu and Kashmir sports council secretary, Naseem Chowdhary stated that last month, Mehreen got an appreciation certificate and a cash reward from the government.
Aliya is another certified trainer, who has popularized gym fitness among conservative Kashmiri women in volatile parts of old Srinagar city. Her gym has enrolled over 50 women and the business is now thriving.
After Aliya’s husband hit several roadblocks in the gym centre he had, she got into the business, Alia got a woman trainer registration from the bodybuilding federation of India and took up the challenge to start training young girls at the gym.
Aliya stated that “Time has come for Kashmiri parents to give girls their breathing space. The world today is focused on women empowerment and Kashmir should be no exception.”
[source_without_link]Times of India[/source_without_link]