If someone tries to grab you from behind, do not panic. Just wait for the opportune moment and go for the solar plexus located below the chest and above the stomach with maximum force that you can muster. This will ensure that you have stunned and knocked the wind out of the attacker. Take a quick punch at the throat or the eyes of the attacker which will buy you some time. Be aware of your surroundings and do not get bullied by anyone.
Such instructions on self-defence from martial art experts came thick and fast like the fierce punches thrown by girls at Mahbubiya Government Girls High School on Monday. The school campus echoed with the intense shouts of over 150 girls, who learnt a few tricks on how to land a punch with strength and power onto the attackers.
The enthusiastic girls quite eagerly lined up to learn the tricks to fight and defend. “They told me that if I learnt self-defence techniques, I would not get intimidated by strangers, and that it would also enhance my self-confidence. Such classes should be a regular affair in schools,” says Fathima Begum, a class IX student.
Hyderabad District Education Officer (DEO) Subba Reddy, who inaugurated the self-defence training camp organised by Balala Hakkula Sangham, assured girls that he would strive to include martial arts in the curriculum. “Such training camps on self-defence should be organised in all parts of the State,” he said.
Some trained girl students presented slick karate moves for the uninitiated. “I am planning to join karate classes as I think it will make me more confident in dealing with tough situations. It will be easier for us if they organise such programmes in our schools,” said T. Padma, another student. A.P. Balala Hakkula Sangham president Achyuta Rao said efforts were on to organize such camps throughout out the State.