But the Manibai's are still around. They may not catch the eye of maharajas, but the strongest of them get their share of fame. They are the contenders for women's weight-lifting titles ... and a confident lot they are too. These are broad-shouldered, heads-up girls who stride rather than walk. They're not a little aggressive. If you don't get the hint from their body language, they'll spell it out for you. When Reena feints a karate blow and exclaims "Jackie Chan is my idol!" one does not want to stand too close.

Just 18 months ago this judoka turned to weight-lifter and already she's lifted a National silver. This BA-I student enjoys being treated "like one of the boys" by the boys in her class and says "the girls are also impressed by a weight-lifter".

Another leading light in Chandigarh's weight-lifting circles is Anita Sharma. This a final year student has a formidable reputation for endurance, often lifting more than male lifters her age in the course of a single training session. Even a warm greeting from Anita results in a sharp inhale - and it was just a handshake. The effect of a hug might be truly breathless.

Rajni Thakur, kabaddi player-turned-weightlifter describes the lady-lifter's diet: "Lots of protein and never less than a litre of milk daily." This college girl certainly gets the Manibai treatment from her parents: "They're proud to have a really strong daughter," she says with a toss of her bobbed hair.

But the Thakurs are probably an exceptional family. Former international weightlifter Harnam Singh admits: "Few parents in our country would like their daughters to take up a tough sport like weightlifting, even though it may be popular in Europe and America."