DNA Newspaper :: City-zens seek self-defence after terror attacks

DNA Newspaper

MUMBAI: In the aftermath of the recent terror attacks in Mumbai, security has been beefed up across the city, and alert citizens are now taking the onus of protecting themselves.

Self-defence classes across the city have seen an increasing number of enquiries and enrolments over the last two weeks. Whether it is karate, kickboxing, judo or krav maga (the Israeli martial arts form) more people today want to learn some form of self-defence techniques.

“In self-defence classes, you learn to protect yourself in different circumstances. It teaches you to deal with real-life situations,” says Kavita Pai, a chartered accountant who recently joined a self-defence class.

Ajit Verma, an instructor at the International Krav Maga Foundation, admits that there has been a quantum leap in the number of inquiries for joining classes post 26/11. “We started in Bandra three months ago, and in the last 10 days, we have received about 80 to 85 inquiries,” he says. According to him it is not just the young crowd that wants to learn the art, but also middle-aged people.

Self-defense has always been considered important, especially for females to protect themselves, but today many young men are opting for it as well. Many parents also send their children to such classes in fear of an attack at school. “There is a fear among parents that schools may be captured. They are therefore sending their children to such classes, as well as enrolling themselves,” says Mehul Vora, president, of Japanese Martial Arts Society of India, who gets 10 to 15 enquiries a day.

“There has been an attack in Mumbai almost every month and the city has been a sitting duck. Mumbaikars have lost faith in the government,” he adds.

Satish Nair, a 32-year-old software engineer who has been taking self-defence classes for two years, agrees. “Instead of expecting the government to protect you, you must take care of yourself. If more people are now enrolling for such classes, I think it’s a good sign,” he says.

Mehul is unhappy that people are joining such classes out of a sense of helplessness. “Today, people are in a position where they would want to keep a weapon if they could,” he maintains.

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