For Riyan Parag, every jersey he’s ever worn starting from his early U-19 days to his matches with Rajasthan Royals and Team India each carries the stories of sweat, joy, and the quiet determination that shapes every athlete. But this year, those jerseys found a new purpose, one that lies far from stadiums and scoreboards.
When Riyan helped in the recovery of Janam, a rescued dog at Udgam Charitable Trust in Delhi, he witnessed something that changed him. The love and resilience of the animals and the tireless care from Udgam’s founder, Manavi Rai left a mark on him and he found a purpose.
So, when Riyan heard about Respun, a textile recycling unit turning old fabrics into meaningful, sustainable products, an idea began to form. What if his jerseys worn yet full of memories, could be made into something which brings comfort to the very beings that had inspired him to see compassion differently?
Together, Riyan, Manavi, and Respun turned that thought into something real. His old jerseys were carefully upcycled into soft, sturdy beds for dogs at Udgam. This transformation retained the spirit of warmth and sportsmanship. It is a gesture that extends sportsmanship beyond stadiums and scoreboards, towards compassion and the fights against the problems that hold our country back.
“It felt right,” Riyan shared. “These jerseys mean a lot to me, but I wanted them to mean something to someone else too. Seeing them turn into beds for dogs who’ve fought their own battles, that’s a feeling I can’t describe.”
At Udgam, where more than a hundred dogs are nursed back to health, these jersey-beds have quietly found their place in a home for tired paws leading to new beginnings through this collaboration.
For Manavi, it’s not just about fabric; it’s about connection. “Every act of care, no matter how small, changes something in us, in them, in the world,” she says.
Sustainability isn’t just about recycling materials. It’s about recycling meaning. Turning memories into kindness. Turning jerseys into comfort. Turning what once represented ambition into something that now embodies compassion.
Because sometimes, the most powerful innings begin off the field.
