THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Around 40 girl students gathered in four rows on the school ground when it became empty after the evening bell, tied their shawls and began to throw punches in the air. With each count from their master, their blows harnessed more power and precision. They were left with a countenance, ‘Do not mess with us.’ These new-generation ‘Unniyarchas’ of Karthika Thirunal Government Vocational Higher Secondary School, Manacaud, are on the pursuit of getting empowered by learning Karate as part of a Sarva Siksha Abhiyan (SSA) Scheme. “At a time when violence against school children has become rampant, such self-defence courses would come in handy for the students to put up their defence. Last time, the Urban Resource Centre, which oversees SSA, had arranged aerobics classes for the students. This time, they proposed Karate classes. ‘’We were doubtful whether the students would like to join Karate classes, but now more and more students are interested in joining. Our only dilemma is that we can’t admit more than 40 students for the class,” said Mabel L B, the PT teacher who is the in-charge of the programme. Karate is being taught in 20 modules, with each module lasting two hours. Though this has dashed the disciples’ hopes of going deep into the martial art, they feel that even the lessons imparted during this short duration is more than enough to thwart any attack. The same was expressed by the master, Dr Sam Ebenezer of Shaolin-Kungfu-Asleo-Lee Karate school. ”The art helps the students to regain focus, concentration and mental power. But equal thrust is also being given on making them aware how to counter offensives. Locks and techniques would help them overcome adversaries. Nature has provided mankind with ways to overcome difficulties. But we need to apply ourselves properly. I am teaching them to regain that lost knowledge,” he said. School principal M Sukumaran also seemed upbeat about the training programme. He felt that it was high time girls reacted to the injustice meted out to them. ”This programme has proved to be an instant hit. Now we want to continue the course in the coming academic year also,” he said.
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