Noida schools to train girls in martial arts

Soon, schools in Noida will be teaching girl students martial arts and self defence techniques in the wake of rising incidents of crime against women.

Soon, schools in Noida will be teaching girl students martial arts and self defence techniques in the wake of rising incidents of crime against women.

Several organisations in the city have been conducting self-defence workshops for girls in schools and colleges. (Sakib Ali/HT File Photo)

In a meeting attended by principals of schools in Noida and Gautam Budh Nagar district magistrate NP Singh on Friday in Noida Sector 27, it was suggested that girls be trained in self defence so that they “feel empowered”.

More than 20 representatives from various schools participated in the meeting.

“Today’s children are tomorrow’s citizens and unless they are strong and empowered, India cannot be a super power. I have requested principals of all schools and colleges to regularly train girls,” Singh said.

The DM also spoke about the need for girls to be well informed about their rights.

“There are many laws and acts that have being introduced to safeguard women. The district administration will collect information about all such laws and acts and prepare a booklet to distribute them among girl students,” Singh said.

School heads said they are more than willing to follow the DM’s recommendations.

“In our school, we begin training girls in judo and karate as early as class 1. In the past as well, we have held workshops for self defence training. After DM’s recommendations, we will organise more workshops for girls,” said Renu Singh, principal, Amity International School.

Seido Karate India, a self defence training organisation based in Noida, has been organising various training workshops in schools and colleges.

“We have held workshops in Mayoor School and several government-aided schools in Noida. In our academy, we are looking to empower and strengthen girls. However, anyone, irrespective of age and gender, can come to our academy to learn,” said Rahul Agarwal, chief instructor of Seido Karate India.

To bridge the gap between students of urban schools and those from rural areas, Singh suggested that the city’s public schools adopt a village each.

“City’s schools must adopt a village and send their students to these villages so that they can understand the problems that villagers face. School projects can be about the problems of a particular village and what can be done to solve them. In future, these students will contribute towards the betterment of the country,” Singh said.