Rugby as a Lifeline: The story of aspiration and triumph

She is an accomplished freelance journalist with over two decades of experience in the field. Serving as the India correspondent for Reporters Without Borders, she has consistently demonstrated a keen eye for uncovering stories of social significance. Meet Anuradha Sharma, whose recent project explored the dynamic intersection of daily life at the Saraswatipur tea estate in the Terai region of West Bengal with the unexpected emergence of rugby as a transformative force.

Through meticulous research and firsthand accounts, she illuminates the journeys of over 400 young individuals, predominantly girls from tribal and Nepali-speaking communities, who have embraced rugby as a pathway to a brighter future.

This has been made possible due to the Svran-Apeejay Journalism Foundation (SAJF) grant. These grants empower journalists to deeply investigate and produce extensive stories that highlight the positive aspects of India and its regions across various media platforms, including print, digital, and video.

In a candid interview, she talks about the challenges young athletes face and the growing acceptance of rugby in India.

What initially drew you to the story of the Saraswatipur tea estate and its connection with rugby?

As a journalist based in the tea heartland, I have long been covering issues faced by the women and girls in tea plantations. When a group of girls, children of tea workers in a remote tea estate, take up the unusual egg-shaped ball and go on to win at the national and international levels, you are forced to stop everything and take a closer look. As I got to know more about the girls and their love for rugby, I automatically got drawn into the story.   

How has the introduction of rugby changed the daily lives and aspirations of young individuals?

They are a lot more confident. They are not afraid to dream big. They are not being married off at very young ages. The list is endless.

Rugby is relatively uncommon in India. What has been key to its growing acceptance?

Yes, rugby is uncommon, but it is fast picking up in popularity in India. At Saraswatipur, when the game was first introduced under the aegis of the founder Paul Walsh, a former British diplomat, there was a lot of suspenseful interest in the game. What made the youth take it up and stick to it is the fact that Walsh’s programme aimed not only to teach the girls the game but also to help them achieve holistic education. 

Could you share a particularly moving or impactful story you encountered?

There are many whose lives changed because of rugby. Sandhya Rai is one fine example. She now holds a graduate degree in Sports Management apart from being one of the top players in the Indian team on the world stage. Without rugby, it would be hard to imagine the life she would have.

What are some of the significant challenges that these young athletes face?

Every success story is fraught with challenges, and the girls have dealt with them with élan. They have worked hard and been at the top of their game irrespective of the circumstances, and that has held them in good stead.

With this SAJF Grant, what do you hope to achieve or highlight about the Saraswatipur community?

My aim is not only to tell the story of Saraswati Leopards, the name of the rugby club at Saraswatipur Tea Estate but also to explore the rise of women’s rugby in India and how it has been an engine of social change.

What potential do you see for rugby as a tool for empowerment in other similar communities?

Despite its elite origins, rugby in India is truly the story of the fightback of the marginalised and disadvantaged against poverty and oppression. Like in Saraswatipur, there have been such concerted efforts in other states like Odhisa and Maharashtra. The Rugby Union is working hard to promote the game far and wide. I see a lot of potential in rugby as a tool for empowerment and as an agent of social change throughout the country. 

How does this story compare with others you’ve reported on in terms of community impact and personal transformations?

I have reported a lot on women’s empowerment. This will be my first time exploring in such great depth the role of sports, rugby in particular, in bringing about empowerment and social justice.