Leh: Fourteen Buddhist nuns, who are specialized in Kungfu, imparted self-defence training to the local girls in a six-day workshop which concluded at Naro Photang Hemis on August 1.
At least 40 girl students, in the age group of 12 to 20, participated in the event and learned the techniques to protect themselves.
Reflecting on the motive behind the workshop, the program executive of the organizing body, Rigzin Angmo said that the incidents of harassment against women are increasing with each passing day in the region and Kungfu is a good way to shield ourselves from the social evils.
“Since many years, we have seen an influx of tourists in Ladakh. Ladakh is not a peaceful and safe area anymore. We have seen many heinous crimes, we have seen many sexual molestation, eve-teasing and it is increasing day by day. In this kind of situation, I believe that when women are empowered and they know self-defense, they can do much better,” Angmo said.
“At least we can have some shield over us. That’s why we thought of organizing the self-defense workshop. At least, girls can feel safer in our homeland,” she added.
Girls, who participated in the event, were ecstatic to be a part of the workshop as they admitted that the workshop has helped them in boosting their confidence.
Talking about the need to conduct such workshops, one of the participants, Padma Youron said that the society is not a safe place and if your confidence level is high then you could deal with any kind of situation.
“During the course of learning Kungfu, my confidence level has increased and we were taught a lot of techniques to tackle social miscreants. I felt the need to learn Kungfu as the society is not a safe area and if the confidence level of a girl is low then she does nothing to protect herself,” Youron said.