Kolkata : As women’s cricket continues to inspire a new generation of young girls across India, Himalaya Wellness is turning inspiration into opportunity through the 1derWoman Project, developed in partnership with the RCB Women’s Team. As part of this initiative, Rupmani Ray, a 10-year-old aspiring cricketer from Kolkata, has been selected among 100 scholarship recipients across India through the 1derWoman Cricket Scholarship Programme.
Today, as the Women’s T20 World Cup brings women’s cricket into the national spotlight and inspires millions of young girls across the country, Himalaya Wellness announced the 100 winners of the 1derWoman Cricket Scholarship Programme, an initiative designed to create meaningful pathways for the next generation of women athletes.
For Rupmani, cricket is not just a sport — it is a dream she continues to pursue in memory of her father. Her father, who passed away during the COVID-19 pandemic, had always dreamed of seeing her play for India. Today, Rupmani carries that dream forward while navigating circumstances that many children her age never have to face. For Rupmani, being selected for the scholarship is not only recognition of her talent but also an opportunity to continue pursuing a dream that once belonged to her father and now belongs to her.
Recognising that inspiration alone is not enough, Himalaya Wellness created the 1derWoman Project, a digital-first platform designed to help aspiring young cricketers like Rupmani to take their first meaningful step towards pursuing the sport. Developed in partnership with the RCB Women’s Team, the Project was built on a simple but powerful belief: aspiration should not be limited by access.
The 1derWoman Project combines cricket-focused learning, mentorship, confidence-building and personal development into an interactive digital experience accessible to girls across the country. Designed for girls aged 10–15 years, the programme enables participants to learn from some of the most inspiring names in women’s cricket while developing the skills, mindset and confidence required to pursue their sporting ambitions.
More importantly, the Project was designed around the real challenges young girls face. Beyond cricketing skills, modules focused on building self-belief, developing discipline, balancing studies with sport and creating a structured pathway that helps participants move from inspiration to action. By bringing mentorship, learning and opportunity together on a single platform, Himalaya sought to create a more accessible and achievable pathway for aspiring young cricketers.
Speaking on the milestone, Rajesh Krishnamurthy, Business Director – Consumer Products Division, Himalaya Wellness Company, said: “At Himalaya, we believe meaningful impact happens when inspiration is paired with opportunity. Women’s cricket has emerged as a powerful force of aspiration for young girls across India, and through 1derWoman, we wanted to create something that goes beyond awareness and gives young girls access to pathways that feel real and achievable. These 100 scholarships represent more than support for young athletes; they represent belief, potential and the beginning of many future journeys in the sport.”
Commenting on the initiative, Ragini Hariharan, Marketing Director – Beauty & Personal Care, Himalaya Wellness, said: “Today, brands have the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to culture by creating platforms that make a tangible difference in people’s lives. Through 1derWoman, our objective was not just to celebrate women’s cricket, but to create greater participation in it. The Project was built to transform inspiration into action and aspiration into opportunity. Celebrating these 100 young girls is a reflection of what becomes possible when talent is given access, encouragement and support.”
Speaking on receiving the scholarship, Rupmani Ray said: "To me, being a 1derWoman means being strong and hopeful even when life is difficult. After losing my father during the COVID-19 pandemic, my family faced many challenges. These struggles make me more determined to study well and build a better future for my family. I believe 1derWoman is someone who turns difficulties into strength and keeps moving forward with courage, hope, and hard work.”
The programme culminated in the selection of 100 scholarship recipients from across India. Representing diverse cities, backgrounds and circumstances, the winners are united by a shared ambition to pursue cricket seriously and build a future through sport.
The 1derWoman Cricket Scholarship provides financial support towards coaching, training and equipment, helping address some of the most common barriers faced by young girls pursuing cricket. The scholarships are designed not only to support talent but also to encourage long-term participation in the sport by creating access to learning, mentorship and development opportunities.
The 1derWoman Project reflects Himalaya’s broader commitment to enabling confidence, ambition and self-belief among young girls. As India continues to celebrate women’s cricket on the global stage, the 100 scholarship winners represent something equally important, the future of the sport itself.
Because every athlete begins with a dream. But progress begins when that dream is given a chance.
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