Visakhapatnam: Free self-defence classes conducted for girls

Visakhapatnam: Close to 2,100 girls from various colleges studying Intermediate to PG took part in the demonstration of the skills learnt in the past week here at Andhra University Engineering grounds on Tuesday.

Marking the birth anniversary of Manikarnika Tambe, Rani Lakshmibai, and recalling her valour, the event was organised at the grounds. The platform was provided to them by Akhila Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) to instil confidence among girls and help them be self-reliant.

With the increasing incidents of violence against women and children, president of ABVP M Simhachalam and its national executive member Malkari Jagadeesh felt that the self-defence techniques learnt during the session would aid them to stand up for themselves in times of any emergency.

The training was provided to the girls by martial arts trainer Venkata Ramana wherein the students exhibited their skills for about 45 minutes on the concluding day. DCP (Zone I) S Ranga Reddy, BJP MLC P V N Madhav, former director of Medical Education Sasiprabha and AU Registrar V Krishna Mohan took part in the inaugural. They said that martial art techniques would not only empower girls but also make them physically strong.