Bus drivers in Karate gear?

Ichh... Nee... Sann... The sounds pierce the air while a team of 25 security personnel throw their fists and draw it in alternatively. This is happening not at any Karate Dojo, but at the Metropolitan Transport Corporation's headquarters in Pallavan House.

Following a karate demo on August 15 by an MTC staff Mr. M. Deivasigamani and his wife Ms. Bhanumathi Deivasigamani, the management took a decision to train their bus conductors and drivers in the martial art of self defence. Ideas were soon implemented with a communication that karate training will be provided first for the security personnel in all the depots. The official order said that Karate classes will be held two days a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 5-30 p.m. and 6-30 p.m. from September 6.

During the inauguration Mr. G. Varadarajan 51-year old Security Inspector grumbled, ``Do I need all this and at this age?'' All the 25 security staff now practising on the fourth day after inauguration are feeling great and light.

``I feel as if I have become a lot younger now and my body flexibility drives me to learn more,'' says one Security Supervisor. For Mr. G. Gopal, the martial art has already begun instilling confidence in him. ``Earlier, if there was a thief, we'll immediately get scared. Now we have the confidence to handle the situation,'' he says.

Mr. Deivasigamani, Chief Instructor, said his work with Karate and MTC started in 1985 when he started teaching voluntarily, members of the crew and family in some depots. Now he imparts a blend of physical and breathing exercises, Yoga, Meditation and Karate. To all those tense learners he says, ``Just like adult education given for those who did not learn to read and write in childhood, this is adult education in Karate and the exercises can be done even by old people.''

Mr. R. Ramesh, Chief Vigilance and Security Officer says the course is intended basically to provide a diversion from the daily duty routine. While initially they did not show much interest and had to be coaxed into the class, now they are asking for more. Next classes will begin for drivers and conductors at the Anna Nagar depot.

Mr. V. Krishnan, Senior Karate Instructor, dispelling doubts that martial art training would make crew rebellious, on the contrary, will lead to discipline and self control. ``The first principle in Karate when there is a fight is to protect yourself and flee,'' he says pointing out that there will be no scope for violent reactions when the bus crew are trained.

Our insistence that they should not smoke, drink or chew pan if they are practising Karate only benefits them physically as it improves their physical and mental fitness, increases power of concentration and alertness which is very important for drivers and for conductors.

By Akila Dinakar

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Southern States
Previous : Ryots throw their lot with Govt.
Next     : No need to cut corners