Port Blair, Jan 18: In a commendable initiative, North & Middle Andaman District Police launched "SWARAKSHA" a self-defence program in the month of September, 2023. This pioneering effort is specifically designed to empower female students in colleges and schools across the region. The program aims to address two vital aspects ensuring the safety of young girls and boosting their self-confidence.
The primary focus of SWARAKSHA is to equip female students from various educational institutions with essential self-defense techniques. At the forefront of this empowering initiative, students from several prominent educational institutions in the district viz. Government Senior Secondary Schools Kadamtala, Rangat, Bakultala, Swadesh Nagar, Kishori Nagar, Kalighat, Diglipur, Mayabunder along with Jawahar Navodaya Vidhyalaya Panchawati have actively participated in SWARAKSHA program. Approximately 3000 girl students from this region have been benefitted from the self-defence training. This widespread participation signifies the program's success in engaging a significant portion of the female student population, making a tangible difference in their lives.
The SWARAKSHA program concluded at Netaji Stadium Diglipur, where approximately 500 students showcased the acquired skills in a demonstration. The closing ceremony was graced with a congratulatory message by Shri. Devesh Chandra Srivastva, IPS, the Director General of Police, A&N Islands in virtual mode, adding an esteemed touch to the event. He highlighted the importance of conducting such type of programmes and assured to organize similar kind of events in future to create a secure and skill-enhancing environment for the empowerment of girls and women. The Superintendent of Police North and Middle Andaman Ms Geetanjali Khandelwal, IPS was present on the occasion, emphasizing the active role played by the law enforcement authorities in the successful completion of this transformative program.
The core components of the SWARAKSHA training encompass a range of self-defense techniques tailored to the needs and capabilities of the participants. The curriculum included physical techniques for fending off potential threats, mental strategies to enhance situational awareness, and exercises aimed at improving overall fitness and agility. By adopting a holistic approach on self-defence, the program ensures that participants not only learn practical skills but also develop a strong mindset that can serve them well in various situations. The active involvement of the North & Middle Andaman District Police in spearheading SWARAKSHA showcases the commitment of law enforcement agencies to community welfare beyond traditional roles. By collaborating with educational institutions, the police have established a constructive partnership that goes beyond maintaining law and order, actively contributing to the empowerment of the community.
The mass demonstration was made successful due to the dedicated efforts of Shri B M Meena, DANIPS SDPO Diglipur, Inspr. K Binoj, SHO PS Diglipur and SI Shilpi Singha, SHO PS Kalighat. All 3000 participants across the district have been felicitated with certificate of participation whereas best performers have been awarded with trophy by Superintendent of Police (D) N&M Andaman.