A FEAT back

“Wing Chun form of martial art keeps in mind the stamina,structure and skill of women. Training girls is only a part of the movement that we have undertaken. It is an attempt to boost their self-confidence and mental strength to help them fight against eve-teasers and not to get afraid and tensed,” said Saurav Sinha,president of Sambhav,the NGO that has started the campaign.

Sinha said five schools have been earmarked and four workshops would be carried out in each of these schools. “We have received applications from several schools but given the resources we have,we can’t conduct the camp in more than five schools at a time,” he said,adding students who excelled in the programme would get further training.

“We will take children with potential for further training so that they can train others in their school to help spread this movement.”

The organisation would also carry out sensitisation programmes. Rallies would be conducted to spread awareness among girls that they need to fight back.

School and higher education minister Bratya Basu,however,stressed on mental training than physical agility. “We need to create an atmosphere where the mindset is such that eve-teasing doesn’t take place. Simply training girls in martial arts will not be the answer. Similarly,it should be ensured that offenders are severely punished as a deterrent,” he said.