Girls takeup martial arts for self defence

After the Delhi gang rape incident the number of girls enrolling for martial arts classes especially Karate has seen a drastic rise in the city. The girls, including married women are heading towards karate classes and to learn techniques in self defence.

Ekalavaya Awardee S Naveen said that after the report of the Delhi incident there is a very good response for his Karate classes from girls. "Self Help Groups, Women's Colleges, schools are planning to teach martial arts as a part of curriculum. I have received several calls inquiring if I can teach martial arts, specially those involving self defence techniques."

Women Wing trainer Roopa said increase in chain snatching incidents has also driven several women to learn Karate. For the past six months more than 30 women have learnt martial arts under her. Chinnaswamy of Okinawa School of Martial Arts said city dwellers are thronging to learn Martial arts. Earlier, there was misconception among parents about enrolling their wards for martial arts, specially girls as they were denied of this opportunity. Whereas, now the parents voluntarily come and enroll girls. Martial Arts not only help to defence ourselves, but also help a person to be fit."

“My parents in the beginning did not encourage me to learn karate, following the age old stigma. But, later I convinced them and joined for Karate. The self defence techniques I learnt in a span of two months has helped me to become mentally strong and physically fit," says Chintana, who is waiting for 10th results.

Parent Mala who has enrolled her 10-year old girl Namratha for the karate class in Saraswathipuram said: “For self defence karate will be very helpful and Girls will be more benefited if they learn karate.”
More than 45 Martial Arts School are functioning in city. Following summer holidays the number of joining for classes has increased drastically. The familiar four forms of style like shoto keni, shitoryu, wadoryu, gojuryu will be taught for the participants.