The cameras caught it all. Moments after India’s women’s cricket team lifted the World Cup on November 2, captain Harmanpreet Kaur bent down, touched the feet of head coach Amol Mazumdar, and hugged him. The gesture — quick, heartfelt, unmistakably Indian — became one of the defining images of the victory.

“Following the win, the cameras picked up Harmanpreet bowing down and touching the feet of India head coach Amol Muzumdar,” media organization NDTV wrote. “It was a show of appreciation for the celebrated Ranji Trophy player who never played for the national side despite his stellar numbers in domestic cricket.”

The image struck a cultural chord online. Divya Thamizh Bharathi, an X user, shared it with the caption: “This is getting too emotional. India deserves this kind of head coach when a player like Harman openly bows down to you.” 
 

This is getting too emotional

Another user, Siddhartha Choudhury, echoed the sentiment: “So happy to see Mr. Majumdar got the respect that he deserves. One of the most promising cricket players of our time, but couldn’t wear the Indian team jersey. But his students have given him the best gurudakshina. Bravo, girls, you made us proud. God bless.” 
 

So Happy to See Mr.Majumdar got the respect that he https://t.co/gwUDjkKe0i of the most promising cricket players of our time but couldn't wear the Indian team Cricket jersey.But his students have given him best gurudakshina,Bravo girls,you made us proud ,God bless

— Siddhartha Choudhury (@Siddhar12965675) November 3, 2025

If the first gesture felt natural, the second one — minutes later on the victory podium — sparked debate. As Harmanpreet stepped up to receive the trophy from Jay Shah, chairman of the International Cricket Council, she appeared to bow again, this time towards Shah’s feet. Shah, startled, stopped her mid-motion.

“Up on the ceremonial stage to collect the ODI World Cup trophy from ICC chairman Jay Shah, Harmanpreet tried to touch his feet but the former BCCI secretary refused out of respect for the India captain,” reported NDTV.

Social media erupted. To some, it was a moving display of mutual respect; to others, an uncomfortable reminder of hierarchy on a stage meant to celebrate equality.

PallaviCT, an X user, wrote: “Just see the SANSKAR! Harmanpreet tried to TOUCH the feet of Jay Shah, but he REFUSED & in fact, BOWED to her as she’s Nari Shakti of Bharat. Then he gave the trophy & LEFT the stage ASAP after the mandatory photos.” 
 

Behind every successful woman is a MAN & let’s pay a tribute to the man behind these ladies - their coach, their GURU - #AmolMuzumdar

Amol was known as the
“NEXT TENDULKAR”

He made a scintillating debut in Ranji trophy in 1993-94 scoring 260 - a world world record for any… https://t.co/kkJJckCK5I pic.twitter.com/n81RbBdpaH

— PallaviCT (@pallavict) November 3, 2025

Another account, सीतामढ़ी जिला, called it “such a heart-touching moment — Harmanpreet showing Sanskaar, and Jay Shah returning it with equal respect. This is the real spirit of Bharat — respect, grace & Nari Shakti.” 

Such a heart-touching moment ️
Harmanpreet showing sanskaar, and Jay Shah returning it with equal respect
This is the real spirit of Bharat — respect, grace & Nari Shakti
Moments like these make every Indian proud!

— सीतामढ़ी जिला (@SitamarhiJila) November 3, 2025

But the debate didn’t stop at cricket. It turned the spotlight back on a deep-rooted Indian custom: the act of touching elders’ feet, or charan sparsh. It’s a gesture that lies somewhere between faith, family, and formality — and one whose meaning keeps evolving.

A user named A Heart Unread offered a cultural perspective: “In Gujarati culture, daughters are considered Lakshmi… do not touch elders’ feet, because we believe ‘Niyani devi samān hoy chhe’. Even PM Modi once said he feels overwhelmed when a daughter of the nation bows, and instead bows back in respect. That’s our sanskār…” 
 

In Gujarati culture, daughters are considered Lakshmi..do not touch elders feet, because we believe Niyani devi samān hoy chhe
Even PM Modi once said he feels overwhelmed when a daughter of the nation bows and instead bows back in respect.
That’s our sanskār… https://t.co/IEBxKCHQLA pic.twitter.com/hpGKkZeWHH

— A Heart Unread (@FeltNotRead) November 3, 2025

Elsewhere, the gesture has been reinterpreted in homes and schools. A Facebook video that went viral under the tag Parenting asked bluntly: “By touching feet, is the kid learning respect or learning to perform?” 

In July 2024, Ghazal Alagh, co-founder of Mamaearth, posted a touching exchange with her nine-year-old son, Agastya. “My 9-year-old son Agastya asked a question today, and the mother inside me was so happy!” she wrote on X. “He asked, ‘Why do we touch elders’ feet for blessings?’”

In her reply, Alagh explained the Hindu ritual of Upasangrahana — “which symbolises respect and the act of letting go of one’s ego to receive blessings, knowledge, and love.” 
 

My 9-year-old son Agastya asked a question today and the mother inside me was so happy!

Him: Why we touch elders' feet for blessings?
Me: It's a Hindu ritual called Upasangrahana, symbolizing respect and letting go of ego to receive blessings, knowledge, and love.

Our… pic.twitter.com/E3XQGWxY7t

— Ghazal Alagh (@GhazalAlagh) July 31, 2024

But as some seek meaning, others see misuse. In a sharply worded 2020 column for The Times of India, writer Sundar Viswam called it “a misused Indian tradition.” “Touching the feet of elders to seek their blessings is one of the nicer traditions in Hinduism,” he wrote. “Except in the case of politicians.”

Viswam described how the gesture, once sacred, has turned into a public performance of servility. “A political supporter is obliged and expected to touch the feet of his patron politician,” he wrote. “This gesture of respect becomes an ugly show of ‘total loyalty’ — in other words, it is a pledge of undying, unquestioning servility, flattery and sycophancy.”

Actor Rajinikanth faced similar scrutiny in 2023 after he touched the feet of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Critics called it “cringefest.” Rajinikanth replied: “It is my habit to touch the feet of Yogis or Sanyasis and take their blessings, even if they are younger than me. I have done that only.”

The conversation, in short, spans from locker rooms to legislatures, from social media timelines to living rooms. In each space, the same act — bending to touch someone’s feet — carries different weight.

For Harmanpreet Kaur, it may have been instinct: a moment of gratitude toward her coach, and a fleeting gesture of reverence toward authority. For others watching, it was a reminder that India still measures dignity not just in what we achieve, standing tall, but also in how we bow.