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Udupi : Hosapete based Baldota Group will organize a two hours D.A.R.E. workshop from 15^th September to 24^th September 2016 in schools and colleges of Udupi city. This workshop is aimed to train school and college girls to become aware of the possible sexual threats, various kinds of offenses and the laws related to protection of women. The workshop comprises of theory and practical demonstrations, on how girls can defend themselves, when their safety is threatened, said Shalini Bhandary.

Addressing with media persons at Udupi she said that the participants are trained in verbal confrontation skills, avoidance, response, survival and escape tactics and numerous self-defence methods. It is based on using the right technique at the right time as per the situation. The trick is to save oneself and fight back/run away from imminent danger. There is The Slap, The Collar Grab, The Chest Push, The Roll Back…. And more such techniques to fend off the attacker. The programme ends with the women taking a vow to defend themselves and others, and to make the world safer for everyone, she said.

She said DARE is an all India initiative and now the team is concentrating on Karnataka. These workshops began with the initiative of Mr. Vaamaa Baldota, Grand daughter of Mr. Narendrakumar A. Baldota, Chairman and Managing director, MSPL Ltd, who was prompted by the increasing number of attacks on women. Before commencing these training workshops, she herself underwent a programme conducted by UCCA (Unarmed Commando Combat Academy), Mumbai. Later, she created the workshop format to train the girls and designed DARE project. Now this unique initiative is being implemented, as part of CSR programme of Baldota Group by a four member dedicated master trainers.

These workshops will be implemented in coordination with the heads of education department. The workshop will train all girls from each school /college. Each School college will be provided with instruction manual. The effectiveness of the training will be monitored by the DARE team of Baldota Group for continuous improvement.

It is aimed to cover twenty schools and colleges in each district in one year across the country. In the 1st phase, 1000 schools and colleges will be covered in 100 districts in the country.

It may be mentioned that in a recently issued circular, CBSE New Delhi, has directed its schools to train girls on self defence, covering all girl students from 1^st std to 10^th std for one week duration. The training is to keep girls updated with the knowledge, strategies and skills required to deal with any untoward situation. In addition, the circular has directed to appoint for teaching self-defence to girl students.

This development is in the wake of concerns on safety of school children especially girls, has become one of the biggest issue with many cases of sexual assault on school girls being reported for different parts of the country, she said.

During the press meet along with Shalini Bhandary, Savitha Naidu and Salma Kushal were present.