PU belts out karate lessons for students

CHANDIGARH: Packing a real punch, Panjab University has gone into combat mode by arming its students, especially girls, with knowledge in martial arts. The training sessions, which were recently conducted at PU, saw 25 girls fight it out. Encouraged by the response, the varsity is now going to introduce the informal course at all hostels, during which experts would train students, including day scholars, in the art of self defense.
���I received a representation from girls who wanted to learn martial arts. Keeping its benefits in mind, we���ve decided to start the course in all hostels,��� said DSW Naval Kishore. Currently, the course is being run in two girls��� hostels: Kasturba and Sarojini, at a nominal annual fee of Rs 500. With 70% of its total strength of 14,000 students being the fair sex, PU is likely to find many takers for the training. At girls��� hostels, training is imparted during evening hours while boys can perfect their karate chops early in the morning, three to four days a week. SOPU president Brinder Dhillon lauded the move and said students would greatly benefit from these classes.