Daughters shine as kho kho stars this Diwali, empowering families

This Diwali, families across India are celebrating in a new way, marking a shift in tradition. In villages from Odisha to Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Assam, daughters who once faced restrictions are now celebrated as symbols of pride and empowerment, thanks to their achievements in kho kho, a traditional sport.

Magai Majhi from Odisha, Nirmala Bhati from Rajasthan, Priyanka Ingle from Maharashtra, and Ranjana Sarania from Assam have rewritten the narrative. In their families, they are the true goddesses of wealth, not for material gains, but for what they represent: strength, resilience, and transformation.

In Odisha’s Kasnadara village, Magai’s success has turned Diwali into a celebration of pride for her mother, Budhavari Majhi. Magai’s accomplishments have inspired others in her village to support their daughters in sports. In Rajasthan, Nirmala Bhati’s rise to international fame has shifted societal views, with her family now viewed as a symbol of progress.

In Maharashtra, Priyanka Ingle’s achievements have improved her family’s financial and social standing, while in Assam, Ranjana Sarania’s success on the kho kho field is bringing light even in a time of mourning.

These women, through their dedication to kho kho, have transformed not only their lives but also their communities, bridging the gap between tradition and progress, and proving that empowerment through struggle is the greatest form of worship.