In addition to dancing, singing, and drawing, 7-year-old Aaratrika Chakraborty from Mogra in Hooghly practices karate. She has been training in karate since the age of 3. This young girl has now set a record in karate. Aaratrika’s name has been entered into both the India Book of Records and the Asia Book of Records. She set a record by performing 480 valid chest-level punches in a minute.
Sports and physical exercise are not only essential for fitness but also an important means of self-defense, with karate being a prime example. At just seven years old, Aaratrika Chakraborty from Mogra has made her name in the India Book of Records and the Asia Book of Records for her achievements in karate.
A resident of Gajghanta Bakultala in Mogra, young Aaratrika learns karate alongside her interests in dancing, singing, poetry, and drawing. Noticing her enthusiasm for karate, her parents, Maitri Chakraborty and Abhishek Chakraborty, have provided her with continuous encouragement and support.
The Chakraborty couple enrolled their daughter in karate when she was just three years old. Her training began at a local karate coaching camp. Last year, Aaratrika won gold in two competitions. Recently, her father Abhishek applied for a record attempt on her behalf. Under the guidance of coaches Shankar Raut and Sanjay Das, Aaratrika underwent rigorous training. The initial target was to perform 350 chest-level punches in a minute, but Aaratrika achieved 690 punches. A video of her attempt was sent to the India Book of Records, where 480 valid chest-level punches were recognized, earning her the record.
Following this, the officials at the India Book of Records advised her father to apply for the Asia Book of Records. Abhishek submitted the application, and Aaratrika once again set a record with her 480 valid punches. The certificate for this achievement was recently received, bringing immense joy to her parents, coaches, and the entire family.
Abhishek Chakraborty said, “We are very happy. We didn’t expect our daughter to achieve this record. Seeing her passion and interest in karate, we applied for the record attempt in late April. When we asked Aaratrika what she wanted to do, she said she wanted to perform chest-level punches. After receiving approval, we sent the video on June 23.”
Her mother, Maitri Chakraborty, added, “We let her pursue sports along with her studies without putting any pressure on her. We want her to be able to defend herself, which is why she is learning karate. Aaratrika also learns dancing and drawing, but karate has become her true passion.” Aaratrika’s parents hope she will continue to achieve success in karate in the future.
Ballygram Incident:
In a separate incident, the hanging body of a businessman was discovered in Tarapur, Nadia, after being missing for two days. The deceased, Samar Das (42), was a resident of Bandhagachhi in Guptipara under the Ballygram police station. On Wednesday, his body was found hanging from a tree in a bushy area near the Tarapur Ganga Ghat.
The police recovered the body and took it to Shantipur State General Hospital. Later, the family identified the deceased. Samar was a textile trader, specializing in designing and selling appliqué and plastic flowers. He had left home on the morning of December 23, saying he was heading out for business purposes in Tarapur. However, his family was unable to contact him by phone later in the day. After two days of no communication, they filed a missing person report at the Ballygram police station. On Wednesday, Samar’s hanging body was discovered near the Ganga Ghat, leading to shock and grief among his family.
The family claims that Samar’s gold chain and gold ring were missing from his body. They also allege that his mobile SIM card was not found. Samar, the eldest of three brothers, lived with his wife, five-year-old daughter, and elderly parents in a modest household. Despite financial struggles, Samar was gradually expanding his small business through tireless effort. He had recently started a business dealing in artificial plastic flowers. Along with his brothers, Abhijit and Santu, the business was stabilizing, and the family was beginning to experience financial comfort.
Samar’s untimely death has left the family devastated. His brother Abhijit Das said, “He had a laser machine to attach red borders to the yellow sarees worn by girls during Saraswati Puja. He went to Tarapur to discuss business matters with other traders. The mystery of how he died must be uncovered.”
Samar’s younger brother, Santu Das, added, “Certain things don’t add up. If he was going to commit suicide, why would he do it in Nadia? On the day he went missing, he traveled from Tarapur market with a customer on a bike to another location. From there, he returned to Tarapur Ghat in a toto (electric rickshaw). His body was later found hanging near the old ferry ghat, but how could no one see anything?”
Biswajit Nag, former deputy head of Guptipara-1 Panchayat, said, “A month and a half ago, a five-year-old child, Swarnava, was allegedly murdered by his grandparents and aunt. Before we could recover from that shock, Samar’s death has shaken us again. We demand that the police quickly solve this case.”
Kalyan Sarkar, Additional Superintendent of Police (Rural), Hooghly, stated, “A missing diary had been filed. The police from Balagarh station, along with the family, went to Nadia to investigate. CCTV footage is being examined. The deceased had dinner with a local resident, after which he went missing. Whatever happened occurred after that.”
