Archive · 14 Aug 2026
Kashmir's First Underwater Tiranga Rally Led by Bilquis Mir
On Thursday, a group of skilled water sports athletes did something amazing in Kashmir.
They took part in the very first underwater Tiranga rally ever held.
The Tiranga is the Indian flag, which has three colors.
The athletes carried and waved the flag while swimming under the water in a big lake called Pokribal in Srinagar.
They also showed the flag on their racing boats.
A famous athlete named Bilquis Mir led the event, and people call her Kashmir's Water Queen.
She is the first Indian woman to be a judge for kayaking and canoeing at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The event happened just before India's 80th Independence Day, which everyone celebrates.
The athletes wanted to show that the Indian flag belongs everywhere, even underwater.
They also wanted to show the whole world how wonderful Kashmir is for water sports.
Water sports athletes held the first-ever underwater Tiranga rally at Pokribal lake in Srinagar.
The rally took place on Thursday, August 13, 2026, ahead of the 80th Independence Day celebrations.
It was led by Bilquis Mir, India's first female judge for kayaking and canoeing at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Athletes carried and waved the Tricolour underwater and displayed the national flag on racing boats.
Mir said the rally aimed to celebrate Independence Day in a unique way and showcase Kashmir's water sports potential to the world.
- Who
- Water sports athletes led by Bilquis Mir, India's first female judge for kayaking and canoeing at the 2024 Paris Olympics, known as Kashmir's Water Queen.
- What
- The first-ever underwater Tiranga rally, with athletes carrying and waving the Indian flag underwater and on racing boats.
- When
- Thursday, August 13, 2026, ahead of the 80th Independence Day celebrations.
- Where
- Pokribal lake in Srinagar, Kashmir.
- Why
- To celebrate the spirit of Independence Day in a unique way and showcase Kashmir's water sports potential to the world.
- Event
- First-ever underwater Tiranga (Tricolour) rally
- Location
- Pokribal lake, Srinagar, Kashmir
- Date
- Thursday, August 13, 2026
- Occasion
- 80th Independence Day celebrations
- Led by
- Bilquis Mir, known as Kashmir's Water Queen
- Distinction
- India's first female judge for kayaking and canoeing at the 2024 Paris Olympics
- Participants
- Water sports athletes