From karate to pepper sprays, girls get ready for self-defence

JAMSHEDPUR: The horrific rape and murder of the Kolkata trainee doctor on August 9 has left parents across the city concerned about the safety of their daughters. Most of them want their child to get trained in self-defence by learning martial arts. Such concerns of parents have led to a sudden rise in enrolments of school-going girls in private institutions where karate, taekwondo, kickboxing and boxing are being taught.
Madhurima Bagchi, mother of a Class VIII daughter, said, “Earlier my daughter was learning painting and singing as extracurricular activities but now I feel that she should be physically equipped to defend herself at the time of distress. I have already got her admitted in a karate class in the Kagalnagar area.”
Karate trainer Sudhanshu Singh told on Sunday, “Of late many parents of girls have approached me to join my classes to learn self-defence techniques. They are worried about the safety of their children.”
Meanwhile, many office-going women here have started keeping pepper spray in their handbags. Nipa Singh, who works in a private hospital, said, “After the Kolkata case, I purchased pepper spray for myself. Few of my female colleagues too have ordered the product.” Dr Shruti Bera said, “I have started carrying a knife in my handbag, as often I drive back home very late at night after attending patients at my clinic and the roads are quite deserted then.”