It seems like a magician’s bag full of endless treasures. Each time you dip your hand into it, gems and jewels keep emerging. No, today I’m not here to tell you a fairy tale. But what I want to share might sound like one. If you pick up the schoolbag of a second-grader, what would you expect to find? A few books, notebooks, pencils, and maybe some toys. Surely, you wouldn’t expect gold and silver.
But today, we’re talking about someone whose bag contains not just books and pencils but real gold and silver. When she opened her little bag and poured it onto the table, out came 26 gold medals—just like magic! Did she stumble upon these medals? Does she have a genie granting her treasures? No, she has earned every single one of them.
Her name is Manisha Shankar Pal. She lives on IBP Field Road in Ward No. 10 of Cox’s Bazar Municipality. Manisha is a second-grade student at Cox’s Bazar Government Central Primary School. Her father, Uday Shankar Pal, is a former municipal councilor, and her mother, Joyshree Nandi, is a homemaker. Among her two brothers and three sisters, Manisha is the youngest.
How Did a Second-Grader Earn 26 Gold Medals?
Manisha won these medals by competing in national and international tournaments—not just any competition, but karate championships! Despite being a second-grader, she proudly recites the lines from Habibur Rahman’s famous poem: “Do I fear anyone? I can even break iron chains!”
When asked if her friends fear her because she knows karate, Manisha smiles shyly and says, “I won’t hit my friends. Why would they fear me? Instead, they love hanging out with me because they feel safe when I’m around.” She adds, “Karate is primarily for self-defense.”
Manisha is just 10 years old, a shy and quiet girl who struggles to express herself fluently. Yet, her study table is overflowing with medals. Among her achievements are six international gold medals and 20 others from national and international competitions. She has also won six silver and bronze medals at the national level, all in karate.
A Journey of Dedication
Manisha began learning karate at the age of four. Her father, a karate instructor, initially trained her at home for two years. Later, she joined group sessions at the second-floor hall room of the Bir Shreshtha Ruhul Amin Stadium in Cox’s Bazar. For the past three years, she has been training at United Karate Club Bangladesh at Abu Center in the city. There, she trains alongside about 150 children, including 80 girls. Training sessions are held on Fridays and Saturdays. After finishing her schoolwork, Manisha diligently practices karate, improving herself day by day.
In her six years of training, Manisha has achieved remarkable success. She has won six gold medals by defeating competitors from India, China, Thailand, Nepal, Bhutan, and other countries.
A Father’s Support
Manisha’s father, Uday Shankar Pal, is her mentor and biggest supporter. As a child, she used to accompany her father to his training sessions. Watching other children practice karate sparked her interest, and she asked her father if she could learn too. Her father gladly agreed.
In karate, there are 26 forms or stages called “katas.” Within just two years, Manisha mastered 16 of them, a feat even 16-17-year-olds often struggle to achieve. Additionally, there are 10 levels or “dans” for earning a black belt. Manisha has already completed the second dan. Her determination and resilience have made her a living example of the power of unwavering willpower.
Eyes on the International Stage
From July 26 to 28, 2024, the International Karate Championship will be held at the Netaji Indoor Stadium in Kolkata, India. Manisha, a black belt holder, will represent Bangladesh in this competition. She will face competitors from Nepal, Sri Lanka, India, Bhutan, and other countries. With her collection of 26 gold medals, we can confidently hope for another victory. Each of Manisha’s accomplishments is a testament to the success of Bangladesh on the global stage.
Early Signs of Greatness
Manisha participated in the “Bangabandhu Karate Championship 2020” in Bandarban on February 28, 2020. She competed in the individual kata (women’s) category at the age of six against opponents aged 16-17. Despite facing older competitors, she fearlessly placed sixth, showcasing her immense potential. Later that year, she competed in the Shahzada Challenge Cup 2020 in Chattogram, where she participated in two categories—Junior Girls Kata and Kumite. Outperforming 15 contestants in each category, she became the champion in both. Since then, she has never looked back.
Most recently, on January 25, 2024, Manisha became the girls’ champion at the Beach Friendship Karate Competition 2024 held at Laboni Point in Cox’s Bazar.
A Bright Future
Today’s children are the future of tomorrow. Like soft clay, they can be molded into anything. With the right care and nurturing, they can achieve greatness. It’s essential to inspire them to dream big and guide them toward making those dreams a reality.
Manisha’s dream is to bring glory to Bangladesh by excelling in karate on the world stage. One day, she hopes to represent the country at the Olympics, carrying the flag of Bangladesh and winning a gold medal to elevate her nation’s pride.
