Remember the two school kids who aced somersaults on Kolkata streets? The internet wanted them to be professionally trained to represent India in the Olympic games. Seems like their life is going to change for good.
The video of the duo performing cartwheels and backflips spread like wildfire on the internet. Soon after Olympic gold medalist, Nadia Elena Comaneci retweeted the video, Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju tweeted seeking information about the kids. MP Maneka Gandhi also took to Twitter to share the clip.
I'm happy that @nadiacomaneci10 tweeted it! As first gymnast who scored perfect 10.0 at the 1976 Montreal Olympics, and then, received six more perfect 10s to win three gold medals, it becomes very special. I've urged to introduce these kids to me. https://t.co/ahYVws8VCB
— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) August 30, 2019
After triggering an internet frenzy, they finally got all the attention they needed leading them to receive professional training so they can turn full-time gymnasts.
The kids who are identified as 11-year-old Ali aka Mohammad Izazuddin and 12-year-old Lovely aka Jashikha Khan were captured on video flaunting their gymnastic skills by their teacher Shekhar Rao who trains underprivileged kids in Kolkata. And obviously, after their breathtaking act, everyone wanted to get in touch with them but Rao never knew how to go about it.
Rao who is a choreographer in Tollywood trains around 80 underprivileged kids in batches of eight and 10. He trains them inside the club that is usually reserved for Durga Puja celebrations.
Reportedly, Ali’s parents work as labourers at a local tea manufacturing unit while Lovely’s father is a driver and mother a tailor hailing from Jharkhand’s Koderma area.
Watch | #India's gymnast wonder kids
A video of 2 kids performing #gymnastics moves on the streets of Kolkata goes viral. Kids caught the attention of #Olympic gold medallist @nadiacomaneci10. She tweeted their video an said, 'This is awesome.' pic.twitter.com/SFmHxMqWCR— WION (@WIONews) September 3, 2019
Lovely is among three daughters in her family and has to endure her share of hardships every day.
The internet’s kindness made these kids a viral sensation and will now help Ali and Lovely fulfil their dreams. All thanks to you guys.