I like elbow attack the most, said five-year-old Mrinalini, one of the participants at the self-defense programme organised by the Special Police Unit for Women and Children (SPUWAC) of Delhi Police. On Tuesday, more than 500 girls exhibited their skills during the closing ceremony of the 15-day winter camp, organised in south-west Delhi’s Naraina Vihar area.
In all, more than 750 girls attended the workshop and received training and participation certificates by the Delhi Police. The participants were instructed by women Constables, who were awarded brown belt from the Karate Association Of India after receiving training at the Indo-Tibetian Border Police Academy in Mussoorie. Various techniques, such as hand grip, neck-lock, knife-attack, hair grip, and group attack were taught at the workshop.
Varsha Kumari, a Class VIII student, along with a group of other students, showed Karate skills to students of the Gyan Mandir Public school .“It is very important for girls to learn how to protect themselves and fight, ” she said.
Arti Vashistha, a teacher at the Gyan Bharti Public School, said: “It was a good experience for our students. Training in self-defense will not only help them protect themselves but also give them career opportunities.”
One of the instructors, Constable Shashikala Kumari, said: “From 6 to 16-year-olds, everyone was enthusiastic about the training. It was a great experience training such motivated and dedicated girls.”
Mahima Singh, a 12-year-old participant, said: “We were also told about the children helpline number — 1098 — to be used in dangerous circumstances.” On the last day, popular Meghalaya folk dance Wangala was also performed, to make students aware about the culture of Indian north-east.
