You are bound to do a double take when you see Kasha Nia Sachdev, 13, and Noa Sara Eappen, 11, students of the BD Somani International School, powerlifting in the gym. Far from the stereotypical image of muscular beings straining under the weight of a metal barbell, the teens are happy being outliers. “Initially, we received a lot of disapproving tuts from people because they felt little girls should be playing in the park, not pumping iron. But, my dad insisted that it’s good for us,” says Sachdev.  

Last week, they silenced their trolls by winning a gold each at the World Powerlifting Congress Indian National Championships in Bengaluru.