Thousands saw David Beckham cheering the cricketers on Wednesday at Wankhede Stadium.
But what was unseen was the football star spending time on Children’s Day in a quiet place at Banaskantha district in Gujarat interacting with young girls and boys who have been fighting child marriage or child labour.
It was there that Beckham met 21-year-old Rinku Pravibhai, who was forced to drop out of school by her family six years ago because they wanted to get her married.
But she had resisted. Rinku is now training as a nurse at Banaskantha district.
“As father of a young daughter, I was deeply moved to meet Rinku and other young girls who are fighting for change and having a say in their futures,” said Beckham, ever so handsome and now Unicef Goodwill ambassador.
He is in India to celebrate Unicef’s partnership with the International Cricket Council.
“Rinku is a role model for other girls who want to complete their education and fulfil their potential,” he said.
At the stadium in Mumbai, Beckham was joined by legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, Unicef regional ambassador for South Asia, to urge the spectators to #BeAChampion for girls and boys to help them equally participate in life and sports.
Adding that sports breaks down gender stereotypes, the footballer said on Wednesday: “It is a powerful way to help girls realise their dreams. I have always been a strong believer in the power of sport in levelling the playing field for children.”
During his four-day visit to India, Beckham saw how Unicef-supported programmes in partnership with the government of India are making a difference for girls and women.
Rinku for example learnt about the harmful consequences of child marriage at a Unicef-supported young girls group and confided her plight to a social worker.
Beckham also joined community workers, government officials and activists who help children continue their schooling, saying no to child marriage and child labour.
“Beckham’s visit to India spotlights the message on the importance of equal opportunities and rights for every child. His visit reinforces Unicef’s mission to support equal opportunities to empower all, especially girls,” said Unicef India representative Cynthia McCaffrey.
“Unicef is deeply committed to supporting the government of India so every child can survive, thrive and pursue their dreams. The quest for gender equality runs at the core of all of Unicef’s work in India,” she said.
Beckham met young innovators and entrepreneurs at the Vikram Sarabhai Children Innovation Centre in Gujarat University and other young people at a separate youth forum.
The centre in Gujarat was set up to promote innovations by children and young people, especially girls.
Unicef works with the government of India to invest in girls education and opportunities that boost their confidence and skills and help become the next generation of entrepreneurs and leaders.
Beckham also met young change-makers like 12-year-old Pratha Vanar, a young cricketer, who started playing cricket when she was six and is now the sole girl in a boys’ team.
He met 14-year-old writer Aarya Chavda who donates her book and art proceeds to help underprivileged cancer patients.