Indian women's kabaddi team returns to rousing reception after World Cup triumph
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New Delhi (PTI): The Indian women's kabaddi team arrived to a rousing reception at the Indira Gandhi International Airport here on Tuesday after clinching the 2025 World Cup title with a 35-28 win over Chinese Taipei in Dhaka.
The players, many returning from injuries, long breaks, and years of waiting for the tournament, called for the long-pending Women's Kabaddi League to be launched at the earliest.
Captain Ritu Negi, who battled an injury during the tournament, said the victory felt deeply special after a 13-year gap between World Cups.
"When the first World Cup was held, India won gold, and this time too, we gave our best. I feel amazing that we won. I had suffered an injury, and I am recovering now. With time, everything will heal.
"After 13 years, nerves were naturally high. It feels wonderful. It's high time we have a women's kabaddi league. We have been hoping for it for a long time, and it should start as soon as possible," Ritu said.
Raider Sonali Shingate, who missed the 2023 Asian Games due to an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear in her right knee, said the comeback felt "inexpressible."
"First of all, thanks to all the fans for supporting us. I am very happy, it's an inexpressible feeling to win the World Cup.
"The last edition happened 13 years ago. I played the Asian Games in 2018, but in 2023 I was dropped at the last moment because of an injury. To overcome that injury, complete rehab, represent the country at the World Cup and return with a win... it is very emotional for me.
"Our next target is the 2026 Asian Games. We made quite a few mistakes in the final, which made it tough, but there's joy in winning a tough match. We are all waiting for the women's kabaddi league."
Assistant coach Priyanka, who won the World Cup as a player in 2012 and as an assistant coach in 2015, said coaching her first senior World Cup team to a title was "a dream moment."
"This was my first time coaching, and it feels great that we won. I won as a player in 2012, and now to contribute as a coach feels very special. I hope I can continue contributing in the years ahead."
Vice-captain Pushpa Rana said the team had been waiting "for years" for this moment.
"We are extremely happy. The last World Cup was held in 2012, and after so many postponements, it finally happened, and we returned with the title.
"I can't fully express this feeling. Our team played with confidence from the first match to the last, and our coaches guided us throughout."
VIDEO | Delhi: The Indian women’s kabaddi team received a warm welcome at IGI Airport after clinching their second consecutive World Cup title.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 25, 2025
India secured back-to-back championships with a strong 35–28 victory over Chinese Taipei in the final. The 2025 Women’s Kabaddi World… pic.twitter.com/4KXvjd479Q
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Jai Bhim: Slogan that energised Dalits was first given at this central Maharashtra village
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (PTI): 'Jai Bhim': These two words have come to symbolise the awakening and empowerment of the Dalit community in independent India, but not many people know how it originated.
The slogan, which also encapsulates the immense reverence in which Dr Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar is held, was first raised at the Makranpur Parishad, a conference organised at Makranpur village in Kannad teshil of today's Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district in Maharashtra.
Ambedkar, the chief architect of India's Constitution, died on December 6, 1956.
Bhausaheb More, the first president of the Scheduled Castes Federation of Marathwada, organised the first Makranpur Parishad on December 30, 1938.
Dr Ambedkar spoke at the conference and asked the people not to support the princely state of Hyderabad under which much of central Maharashtra then fell, said Assistant Commissioner of Police Pravin More, Bhausaheb's son.
"When Bhausaheb stood up to speak, he said every community has its own deity and they greet each other using the name of that deity. Dr Ambedkar showed us the path of progress, and he is like God to us. So henceforth, we should say 'Jai Bhim' while meeting each other. The people responded enthusiastically. A resolution accepting 'Jai Bhim' as the community's slogan was also passed," More told PTI.
"My father came in contact with Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar in his early years. Bhausaheb was aware of the atrocities the Nizam state committed on Dalits. He told Ambedkar about these atrocities, including the pressure to convert. Dr Ambedkar was strongly against these atrocities, and he decided to attend the 1938 conference," he said.
As Ambedkar was against the princely states, he was banned from giving speeches in the Hyderabad state but was allowed to travel through its territories. The Shivna river formed the border between Hyderabad and British India. Makranpur was chosen as the venue for the first conference because it was on the banks of Shivna but lay in the British territory, ACP More said.
The stage made of bricks, from where Dr Ambedkar addressed the conference, still stands. The conference is organised on December 30 every year to carry forward Ambedkar's thought, and the tradition was not discontinued even in 1972 when Maharashtra experienced one of the worst droughts in it history.
"My grandmother pledged her jewellery for the conference expenses. People from Khandesh, Vidarbha and Marathwada attended it. Despite a ban imposed by the Nizam's police, Ambedkar's followers crossed the river to attend the event," said ACP More.
"This is the 87th year of Makranpur Parishad. We have deliberately retained the venue as it helps spread Ambedkar's thought in rural areas," he added.
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