MUMBAI: Star India, in association with the BCCI, has turned the spotlight on women once again with their new campaign. Called "Nayi Soch," the campaign sees Indian cricketers wearing their mother's names on their jerseys. It has struck a deep chord with all sections of society making several wonder and hope if the team would wear their mother’s names on their jerseys for an actual match.

To make a powerful statement, the Indian Cricket team will sport jerseys with their mother’s names on 29 October for the concluding ODI of the India-New Zealand series.

This gesture will champion the cause of women in a country which is ranked 130th out of 155 nations in the world on gender equality (United Nations Human Development Report 2015). On this game day, the Indian cricket team will serve as ambassadors of new thinking and use the power and platform of sport to drive meaningful social change.

“This is the first time in the world that a team jersey is being used so disruptively to power social change. Star Plus has taken an unprecedented leap in its Nayi Soch or new way of thinking. We compliment the BCCI and the Indian team for such a transformational collaboration,” said Star India chairman and CEO Uday Shankar.

Shankar further added, “At Star, women have always been at the forefront of everything we do. This time around both BCCI and Star have put their strength together to highlight the cause of women in India. World over Sports has been a tremendous platform for advocacy of a range of social causes. The Indian cricketers sporting their mothers’ names make for a powerful and emotive statement and we are thankful to BCCI and the Indian Cricket team for partnering with us on this idea. It will support the voice of the emerging Indian woman and inspire millions to acknowledge and celebrate the identity and role of women in India.''

The enormous popularity of the Indian cricket team and the fact that our cricketers serve as role models gives Team India the power for social change. Tapping into this capacity and marrying it with the high impact of television, the symbolic gesture of cricketers wearing their mothers’ names is sure to make the people of India sit up and challenge stereotypes that continue to hold back women today.

BCCI president Lt. Anurag Thakur added, “Time and again women have proved their mettle and history has been the witness of their greatness. Once a woman becomes a mother, her entire life gets dedicated towards her children. She plays an equally or rather greater role in shaping the future of her children. With this initiative in collaboration with Star India – ‘Nayi Soch’, our endeavor is to honor each and every woman. The Indian team will be sporting their mother's name on the jerseys for the fifth ODI against New Zealand with intent to thank all the mothers for their efforts and sacrifices.”

Star Plus, through its content, has been associated with this movement and continues to push forward the Nayi Soch agenda for women.

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