Self-defence instructor seeks copyright for techniques

Kateel has trained 85,000 girl students in self-defence

Karthik S Kateel, a youth from Mangaluru, has applied for copyright for five self-defence techniques designed by him.

He told newsmen that the self-defence techniques designed by him can be learnt and easily applied by a 11-year-old girl to 60-year-old women. “Within six months, I will get trade mark for techniques as part of copyright. The copyright is likely to be received within a year,” he added.

Kateel and his mother Shobhalatha have been visiting schools and colleges to teach self-defence techniques to girl students. So far, they have covered 327 institutions in the state and trained more than 85,000 girls.

He said his ‘Swaraksha for Women’ training programme has completed two years and on the occasion, a training session was held at Besant Women’s College in Mangaluru on August 8.

In the 75-minute long presentation, Kateel demonstrated the five techniques on how women can hit back when attacked by a stranger. “Those who have attended my sessions can easily pick up techniques on how to hit back. My techniques are simple and easy to follow,” he said.

“Normally, karate is promoted for girls for self-defence. But aged women might find it difficult to master these arts. My techniques do not include  kicks or blocks. All one needs is the presence of mind and ability to identify the weak points in the attacker so that victim can easily escape unhurt,” he said.

With an increase in assault cases and sexual harassment of women, Kateel thought of conducting a self-defence programmes for women. The techniques were designed on the basis of real incidents and inputs from psychology, he said adding that his mother was his first student.

 “My mother found the techniques easy to execute and this gave me confidence. I teach techniques without any monetary expectation from institutions. On some occasions, students and teachers generously contribute and I use these funds to conduct similar such programmes which will benefit the students,” he said.

Kateel said girl students face 70% harassment within the family.

“Several students have sought help in overcoming the problem and the police have referred some cases to me to solve.

“The police, doctors, academicians and girl students have appreciated these techniques.”

Reply from PMO

Karthik said as there is no financial support from government or sponsors from any organisations, he finds it difficult to continue the self-defence teaching programme. Hence, he said he decided to approach Prime Minister Narendra Modi and couriered all the details of his self-defence techniques and the appreciation letters from police and others to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) on July 13.

The PMO, in return, has forwarded it to the Principal Secretary (DPAR) of Karnataka for further action.

“I am waiting for a positive reply from the government,” he said.