What drove these young girls to the ring was the love for the motherland and the brave soldiers who had laid their lives to defend the country in inhospitable terrain. ``I wish I had been there at the front,'' said Rajni, basically a kho-kho player. Rajni, who honed her skills in boxin for a week, added: ``I am proud that I have done something for my country.''

After witnessing the first bout between the girls held at the busy Sector 17 market place, more people thronged near the stage.

``I think it is the first time I am seeing women in action in the ring,'' said a spectator, who also donated towards the fund.

Though women's boxing has picked up in European countries, it is yet to make inroads in India. The Amateur Boxing Federation of India is planning to hold thefirst edition of the National women's boxing championship in October at Shimla.

``Initially, the show bouts were in the men's group but when some girls approached us, we decided to include them,'' disclosed Harvinder Singh, secretary, CBPWA.

And the response was good. Kulwinder Kaur, one of the participants, who had a feel of the gloves for the first time, found the game exciting. ``I came to know about the showbouts from my friends, and it struck me, I should also fight for a cause. Now I am thinking of pursuing the sport.''