Gandhinagar, 11 December 2013

-Initiative will train over 1,50,000 girls and women across Gujarat

-Gujarat Government aims to empower girls and women across Gujarat through basic training in Self Defense

The Government of Gujarat aims to empower girls across Gujarat through basic training in Self Defense through a program called PADKAR (A Powerful Defense through Courageous Response).

The launch of the program was done through a massive demonstration on Self Defense by 1250 girls during the Opening Ceremony of the Khel Mahakumbh on 23rd November 2013.

Gujarat Government has launched a year-long celebration of the 150th Vivekanand birth anniversary. Swami Vivekanand believed that there is no chance of welfare of the world unless the women are empowered. Government of Gujarat deriving inspiration from this decided to launch a women empowerment program.

There has been a rapid and alarming increase in the rate of crime against women across the country in the recent past. The Government of Gujarat, through the Sports Authority of Gujarat (SAG), has decided to implement the PADKAR program across all talukas and districts of Gujarat and train over 150,000 girls.

The PADKAR program shall provide girls and women basic training to defend themselves and take the right steps when attacked. The program has been developed by experts using elements from various martial arts such as taekwondo, judo, karate and kung fu. In addition to the techniques, the self-defense program shall make the participants mentally tough. The PADKAR will be implemented through schools, colleges and Swami Vivekanand Mahila Mandals (SVMM).

The program was launched today in 71 talukas across the 33 districts of Gujarat. Over 150,000 girls and women across 438 schools, colleges and Swami Vivekanand Mahila Mandals have registered for the 10-day program. Heads of institutions have welcomed this initiative that empowers their students. Shree Kadvibai Virani Kanya Vidyalay in Rajkot was the single largest institution in terms of participation with over 1936 girls registering for the training program. 172 black belt holders have been appointed to train the girls in self defense. The program will be held over 20 hours in each institution spanning 10 days.

Speaking about the initiative, the Hon. Minister of Social Justice & Empowerment, Sports and Youth Cultural Activities, Shri Ramanlal Vora, said, “I am proud of the PADKAR initiative that will help empower the women of Gujarat. With the PADKAR program, we are able to bring Swami Vivekanandji’s wish even closer to reality. He believed that our well-being as a society depends on improving the condition of our women. Learning how to defend oneself from an attacker is something that we hope every woman will learn.”