Members of the Shaurya Dal contingent practising for the Republic Day parade in Bhopal.
They look an unlikely medley, from teenagers to senior citizens, who have been standing up to stop domestic violence, crimes against women and other social evil in the villages. But it is their service as volunteer of the Madhya Pradesh government-backed Shaurya Dal that has earned these 30 women and 15 men the opportunity to march as part of the Republic Day parade in Bhopal.
22-year-old Pushpalata Jharia is excited about participating in the prestigious parade. A resident of Surajpur Village in Dindori District of Madhya Pradesh, she did not receive formal education beyond school. She has been a member of the Shaurya Dal for the past one year.
"People used to come to our village and lure women, promising employment and forced them into prostitution. Their families contacted us and we contacted police and rescued those women from Mumbai," says Ms Jharia.
"We are happy that we will be taking part in the parade long with or security forces. I am very happy and will share my experience with the people in my village," she adds.
For most of the members of this Shaurya Dal contingent, many of whom cannot read or write, it is a matter of pride that they will march at a parade with the state's Governor as a chief guest.
Shaurya Dal is a state government-backed group, which came into existence after the Nirbhaya gang rape case. It has a group of 10 volunteers in 2620 villages, with five men and five women. There is no incentive for them, only guidance from the state government to tackle issues like domestic violence, crime and social evil with the help of police. By 2016 Shaura Dal aims to have teams in all 49 districts of Madhya Pradesh.