Not A Game, But A Game Changer
It was on 20th June 2023, the Rampur village witnessed wonders happening around. The day marked the beginning of a new era for girls and heralded a gender sensitive society in the ensuing time. It was for the first time the adolescent girls played a cricket match. The two teams that played the match were least bothered about the outcome of the match. For them it was a moment of creating their own identity which was unseen, ignored and suppressed for years.
The state of girls was no better than vegetable existence in Rampur, a village under Sabarpali GP of R. Udaygiri block. The myth that male child is superior and girls are inferior was prevalent and pervasive. The adolescent boys would be acknowledged as assets and girls were considered as burdens. The adolescent girls used to lead a life within the confines of four walls. Their interest, opinion and wishes never mattered for anyone. Such prejudicial practices fuelled by myths and misconception widened the inequality between girls and boys, and pushed the girls towards a flummoxed future. Under sheer neglect and negation, the adolescent girls had resigned to the fact. Education, free movement and becoming independent were more like dreams than ambitions to them. Manisha, Rita and Tulasa watched their brothers playing cricket everyday and would rue the reality of being a girl.
With the formation of Trirasmi Kishori Dala under ACEH Programme, the existence and identity of adolescent girls have changed for better. It was a Herculean task for Kishori Sathi to convince the parents to send their adolescent girls to the meeting. But she relentlessly persuaded the parents and ensured that all adolescent girls became members of the group. The girls too were excited to realize that the group was to be governed and managed by them. The regular meetings and trainings saw the girls going from strength to strength. The group made them feel their worth, they began to believe that they must take action to effect the changes they wished to see.
During one meeting, while sharing their wishes, Manisha and Rita said “We wish we were boys. We want to play cricket, but we can’t as we are girls”. This sharing was picked by the Kishori Sathi and the group underwent a brainstorming discussion over “Why can’t girls play cricket”. After insightful discussion, the group decided that there would be nothing better than starting with a game to prove a point.
As they started preparing for the match, the news spread like wildfire. Some parents discouraged them, some laughed at them, but the girls remained stoic and defiant. Their enthusiasm and eagerness drew the attention of the boys who extended their co-operation by providing them cricket kit and getting the field ready for the match.
The Trirasmi Kishori Dala invited the Sarpanch and Block Programme Manager of Odisha Livelihoods Mission on the occasion. Finally on 20th June 2023 the coin was tossed up and the match kick-started. The hands that were more accustomed to hold the broom and accomplish the household chores struggled to grip the bat and ball, but inside the mind the adolescent girls had developed an indomitable spirit. The villagers gathered around the field. As the boys kept on clapping to motivate the girls, the parents could not stop their hands too.
The match continued for two hours. The girls fell on the ground many times while bowling, fielding and taking a run, but they only fell to rise again with more determination. The mute spectators of yester years had taken the centre stage that day. As the match completed, they hugged each other, Manisha and Rita could not stop their tears rolling out. By that time, the match had set their minds free from fear, shame and prejudices. The resolution to take necessary initiative to trigger the changes had started forging inside. Self-belief and faith had outweighed doubts and fears.