Girls in Bodh Gaya learn karate Bodh - India News and Travel Times Provides India-centric and other News and Features

Scores of girls, mostly students in Bodh Gaya district are being taught martial arts for self-defence. A majority of the students hail from under privileged families. Kasturba Gandhi Girl's School who teach the martial arts is a residential institution functioning jointly under the government's Departments of Education and Women's Welfare. Many under privileged girls from remote villages of Gaya district are among the boarders of this school. "The idea behind teaching karate is that if the girls learn martial arts they can defend themselves while commuting or moving around. If they encounter miscreants, they can confront instead of panicking. In short 'our defence in our hands' this is mental and physical development going hand in hand," said Punam Kumari, Martial Arts Instructor. The students, however, are upbeat about learning karate which would enable them to face any odd situation. "Karate is for self defence and for mental development. Now we are not afraid anymore. Now we can defend ourselves," said Tamana Parvin, a student. Apart from the routine academic education and vocational training, these girls have showed immense interest in learning martial arts.