From ‘Conversion’ accusations to glory: Jemimah Rodrigues scripts her own comeback
New Delhi: In one of the most remarkable moments in Indian women’s cricket, Jemimah Rodrigues and Captain Harmanpreet Kaur scripted a historic chase to take India into the finals of the 2025 Women’s World Cup. Late on Wednesday at the DY Patil Stadium, India stunned Australia, a team unbeaten in their last 16 ODIs, chasing down a mammoth 339-run target with nine balls to spare.
Rodrigues remained unbeaten on 127, while Kaur scored a fighting 89, steering India to their first-ever successful 300-plus chase in women’s ODI history. ESPN Cricinfo called it a “rescue act”, and for good reason India were in early trouble before the duo rebuilt with grit and elegance.
As soon as the final runs were scored, social media erupted in celebration. The 25-year-old Rodrigues was hailed as “India’s pride”, and her name trended across platforms. But for many, the joy carried a hint of vindication, a reminder of how the same player had been vilified not long ago simply because of her faith.
Last year, Rodrigues had been targeted by Hindutva groups after the Khar Gymkhana, one of Mumbai’s oldest clubs, revoked her honorary membership. The move came after allegations that her father, Ivan Rodrigues, used the club premises for “religious activities”. Some members accused him of organising events aimed at “conversion” a claim that was later dismissed by the club’s president as politically motivated factionalism ahead of internal elections.
The vilification, however, took an ugly turn online. Hate-filled social media users called her names, spread falsehoods, and even issued violent threats. Her family chose silence through that storm.
Now, as Rodrigues stood at the centre of the DY Patil Stadium, her bat raised high and her eyes moist, that silence spoke louder than words. In her post-match interview, Rodrigues’s voice cracked as she said, “I want to thank Jesus – I could not do this on my own. I want to thank my mom, dad, coach and every single person who believed in me.”
She later revealed that she was supposed to bat at number five, but was pushed up the order to number three at the last minute, a decision that turned out to be game-changing.
“I was just playing and talking to myself through the innings,” she told ESPN Cricinfo. “But towards the end, I was quoting a scripture from the Bible because I had lost energy and was very tired. The verse says, ‘Just stand still, and God will fight for you.’ And that’s what I did. He fought for me.”
For a young woman once targeted for her faith, this moment was more than sporting glory, it was a quiet, powerful rebuke to the hate that tried to define her. Jemimah Rodrigues didn’t respond to her detractors on social media. She chose the bat instead which now tells her story better than words ever could.
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Karnataka issues nutrition advisory for govt events; recommends millets, healthier options
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Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka government on Monday issued a nutrition advisory recommending healthier food and beverage options at meetings, functions, and other official gatherings held in the state.
The advisory has been issued by the Department of Karnataka Health and Family Welfare Services to promote healthy dietary and nutritional habits among officials and staff, noting that food, refreshments and beverages served in government offices and official programmes are "often not aligned with nutrition standards."
The advisory recommends serving snacks such as millet-based, low-fat and low-sugar foods, fresh fruits, vegetable salads, sprouts, roasted nuts and seeds during in-house office meetings and breaks.
Beverages such as green tea, low-fat buttermilk, and locally filtered or boiled water served in glass bottles or steel flasks have also been suggested.
According to the advisory, for larger government events, conferences and exhibitions, departments have been advised to include at least one millet-based item during snacks and a minimum of two millet dishes in meals, along with local cuisine and at least one regional recipe.
It also recommends the use of brown rice instead of white rice, freshly prepared vegetable salads, and fresh fruits or low-sugar fruit juices.
If non-vegetarian food is served, it should consist of well-cooked lean or white meat, the advisory stated.
In eateries operating within government office campuses, the department has recommended millet-based foods, fresh vegetable salads, boiled pulses such as horse gram or chickpeas, and low-fat beverages.
It suggests serving food using reusable metal plates and glasses.
The advisory also recommends avoiding microwave-heated food, industrially processed food, fried snacks, high-fat or heavily spiced dishes, carbonated drinks, high-sugar fruit juices, and alcoholic beverages.
It further discourages serving milk-based tea or coffee and plastic-bottled water during official events.
“Overall, hygiene and cleanliness should be maintained while serving food and water. Local cottage industries, self-help groups, prison kitchens, nutri-gardens and others should be preferred for placing food and beverage orders,” the advisory added.
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