Schoolchildren in Palakkad and Thrissur districts are fastening a combat belt.
A karate training and personality development programme started in a school for tribal students at Agali in Attappady two years ago, under the Friends of Police scheme, is gaining popularity.
Already, 100 senior students have been awarded the Yellow Belt. Now, they are practising hard to get Black Belts, says Krishnankutty, sub-inspector of police, who initiated the programme during his stint at Attappady.
More than 1,350 high schools students are undergoing training now. The department gave Mr. Krishnankutty a ‘commendation certificate for excellent services rendered.’
As many as 1,000 students of Chinmaya Vidyalayas at Pallavur, Kollengode, and Thathamangalam are under going karate training. Nearly 100 students of Big Bazar Government School and Moyan Girls School are undergoing karate and personality development trainings. In Thrissur, students of Kuttur Government Higher Secondary School and the Kattilakulam Higher Secondary School are undergoing training, he says.
In Aluva training is being planned in two government schools this year, he adds.
Getting trained in a combat skill infuses self-confidence in the students. It increases agility and responsiveness, Mr. Krishnankutty says.
