Sashakti self defense camp of Delhi Police gets over 10000 participants across the National capital

New Delhi, June 28

The Sashakti self defence training summer camp of Delhi Police culminated at Thyagraj Indoor Stadium in Delhi in a grand event. 

More than 3000 school girls and women participated in the event. 

Delhi CP Rakesh Asthana interacted with the participants and spoke about the benefits of self defence training for girls and women in the city.

Dr. Sunita Godara (famous Marathon runner), Pooja Rani and Arundhati Choudhary (both celebrated Indian Boxers) graced the occasion and motivated the participants with their life experiences. 

The self defense camp was organized by the Special Police Unit for Women and Children of Delhi Police to impart Self Defence Techniques Training to college / school going girls, working women and housewives in Delhi with a view to empower them through training in martial arts.

The event was organized at five venues across the city, including Najafgarh, Shalimar Bagh, Gujranwala Town, Dilshad Garden and Pushp Vihar, Delhi.

10,777 girls and women of Delhi registered in the camp. Youngest girl who registered for self defence training was seven-year-old Navya and the senior most woman who participated was Kusum Lata (74).

DCP (SPUWAC) Dr. Joy Tirky stated during the 10 day summer camp, the participants were taught various techniques of self defence by more than 40 trainers of Delhi Police. The male participants were also given sessions regarding gender issues by Delhi Police. Street Plays were an important part of the Summer Camp.  

Delhi CP appreciated the efforts made by the participants in learning self defence techniques from Delhi Police. He exhorted the participants to spread awareness about Sashakti Programme, so that more and more girls and women could benefit from the initiative. 

Dr. Sunita Godara is a former Indian marathon runner. She became the national marathon champion first time in 1984 by winning Delhi Marathon She won medals in Malaysia, Thailand, India, Singapore, Philippines, Indonesia, Holland, Egypt, Japan & top 10 in many European countries & Cities - Paris, Australia, Italy, Istanbul, Turkey, the Penang 4 times and Kedah marathons. She won gold at 1992 Asian Marathon Championship held at Bandung. She competed in 1985 Boston Marathon & 1990-1991 London Marathon. She holds the record of running the maximum marathons run by an Indian. She has run in 76 full marathons, starting with the Rath Marathon in 1984. She finished first 25 times, second 12 times, and third 14 times. In addition to that, she won 123 half marathons and has run 200 international races on all continents. 

Pooja Rani is an Indian middleweight boxer. She is a two-time Asian champion (2019 and 2021). She won the bronze medal at the 2014 Asian Games in the 75 kg category, won the gold medal in South Asian Games 2016 and won Silver (2012) and Bronze (2015) in Asian Championship 75 kg weight categories. She represented India at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2014 in the 75 kg category. She was the first Indian to qualify for 2020 Summer Olympics. She is six-time national champion, an Asian Games medalist, apart from a South Asian Games gold medalist. In 2021 she won Silver medal at Boxam International Tournament, Spain. 

Arudhati Choudhary is a three-time gold medallist at the Khelo India Games (2018, 2019 and 2020). Her concentration and passion for her sport took her to instant fame even in the international circuit, getting her three gold medals at the 2017 Valeria Demyanova International Tournament, 2018 National Cup Serbia and 2018 Junior Nations Cup, Varbas Serbia. Her exploits caught the eye of boxing fans all over the world and she was voted as the Best Asian Junior Women Boxer in 2018. In 2019, she went a step further to grab the bronze medal at the ASBC Youth Asian Men & Women Championship for one of the biggest accomplishments of her young career.

During the programme, Asmita Theatre Group presented a street play which portrayed the challenges faced by women in a predominantly patriarchal society.  

The street play was followed by a scintillating performance by participants and Self Defence Team of Delhi Police Special Unit for Women and Children. 

It is pertinent to mention here that the Self Defence Team of SPUWAC, has conducted more than 2,629 Self Defence training programs till June this year and has trained more than 4,57,889 participants, since the year 2002. 

Delhi CP also handed out certificates and momentos to participants, school representatives, doctors and special Guests for the function.