“I used to pass by the football ground and look at the other children play every day. What struck me was that there were a lot of boys and only three girls. Only three! It was just like the scenario at home. My father and my brothers used to go out to work, and we were told that women are supposed to stay at home. I started playing football with a simple mission – I wanted to change this story, and I will,” Beema told me.

“Also, this slum, my home, is known to the world for all the wrong reasons – all the crimes, all the terrible things – I want Vyasarpadi to be known differently. I want to be the one to change its image in the eyes of the world!”

And changing the story she is. Following her footsteps is a little girl called Kirthana, the daughter of a daily-wage labourer and a homemaker.