India, March 8 -- Kishori dals or girls' collective that began in Odisha village is helping ensure girls' rights

On November 12, 2023, a pleasant December morning, a group of 17 adolescent girls from Ankul Padar village in Odisha's Rayagada district walked for 5 kilometres to a nearby village. As they set out on their mission, they felt both excited and anxious.

The girls, from Kondh tribal community, were going to participate in a block level cricket match for the first time, and that too in front of an audience. The audience also included their family members - convincing whom to allow them to play any sport had been a challenge for the girls.

The rival all-girls team was from the village hosting the match, while the girls from Ankul...