Gatka contests to be part of PSEB schools’ curriculum

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, July 5

To promote self-defence training among children, especially girls, Gatka competitions will be held for students of Class IX to XII in schools affiliated to the Punjab School Education Board (PSEB).

Students would be judged from 5 to 8 minutes’ time, in which they would have to showcase their martial arts skill by using weapons, including the ‘kirpan’ and ‘khanda’ — the double-edged sword. They would be given points on the way they enter the arena, their clothes, usage of weapons, speed, synchronisation and overall presentation.

Gatka competition would be a part of competitions in different extra-curricular activities. These would be held in schools affiliated to the Board from Class I to XII. The competitions would be held at district, regional as well as state-level.

For primary-level, including Class I to V, the competitions will be held in shabad gayan, elocution, calligraphy, solo dance and folk song. For Class VI to VIII in the middle-level category, in addition to the above events, the competition would be held in general knowledge, poetry, ‘vaar-singing’, poetry recitation, Bhangra and Giddha. For the secondary-level from Class IX to XII, in addition to these events, the competitions would also be held for gatka for girls, for boys, writing, Punjabi folk dance Sammi and Luddi, Malwai Giddha Jhoomar, Lambi hek de geet and Play.

The competitions for different districts would be held on August 2 and September 9 at primary level. For the middle-level from Class VI to VIII, these will be held from August 3 and September 7. From Class IX to XII, the competitions would be held on August 4 and September 8.

The competitions for regional level would be held on October 10, 11 and 12 for primary, middle and secondary-level respectively. The state-level competitions for the three categories would be held on December 1, 2 and 3.

Gatka training important, say parents

The practice of martial arts training including Gatka is important for girls, said parents. “It is good that the competitions include Gatka as well. Not only does it keep a person physically and mentally fit for the movement and speed involved, but it is more important for girls from the point of self-defence,” said Raman, a parent.