When a group of enthusiastic young women volunteered to participate in a self-defence workshop at Raj Bhavan on Wednesday, they probably did not expect to take home some handy, valuable tips.
The practical session of the workshop lasted around 30 minutes but each advice was something the women knew they could use if faced with an attacker.
The tutor was S. Sreeram, coordinator and instructor of the Tamil Nadu chapter of Krav Maga, the Israeli method of tackling violence. He has been training the Chennai police and youngsters interested in self defence.
Mr. Sreeram gave the young women an overview of the vulnerability of the human anatomy. “Whether man or woman, some parts of the body are vulnerable to attack and we target them,” he told the women participants.
The group of women learnt to handle an attacker. For instance, if a man were to choke the victim, then by surprising the attacker, the victim could escape murder attempt.
The best method is to leave the area before the attacker gets violent but in case of being attacked, then a woman should use everything she can to protect herself, the instructor said.
“Your voice, your fingernails, your high-heeled shoes, even a pen are weapons you can use,” said Mr. Sreeram.
Mrinalini Dhanesh Maher, chairperson of the Chennai chapter of FICCI Ladies Organisation (FLO) that organised the workshop, said it was appropriate to organise such an event as crimes against women in the country seemed to be on the rise.
She said more such events in colleges were on the anvil. “We are planning to take the initiative to rural areas too,” Ms. Maher said.
Governor K. Rosaiah, who watched a demonstration by the young women, said empowering women and equipping them to safeguard themselves was necessary. He lauded the efforts of Mr. Sreeram and congratulated FLO for organising such an event.
