Ramabai Ranveer, a 47-year-old widow from Maharashtra, won a 3km community race despite having no training and running barefoot after her slippers kept slipping off. She entered to win money for her daughters’ books and education, and her achievement went viral, prompting debate about the sacrifices Indian families make amid concerns over the country’s education system.

Ramabai, who supports her family through agricultural work and left school at 13, won 3,000 rupees (£23; $31). Her daughters are preparing for highly competitive police recruitment and civil-service examinations, which often require costly coaching and study materials. The race highlighted wider frustrations over intense competition, alleged examination irregularities, limited secure jobs and the uncertain promise of education as a route to a better future.