The Uttar Pradesh Skill Development Mission (UPSDM) has now launched a self-defence training pilot project. As suggested through the name, this initiative will involve imparting self-defence skills to females for their personal safety

Notably, the project is being launched in a pilot format for 10,000 girls in 16 cities of the state. Moreover, it is being implemented by the Sports, Physical Education, Fitness and Leisure - Skills Council (SPEFL-SC) under the UPSDM's SANKALP initiative to train women and young girls, physically as well as mentally for battling anti-social elements.

The announcement for the initiation of this campaign was recently done by UP's Minister of vocational education and skill development (independent charge).

Initially, a special three-day, self-defence training program will be organized in Lucknow and 'Nirbhaya self-defence Kits' containing chain alarms, safety whistles and pepper spray will also be distributed to each candidate at Lucknow's ITI, Aliganj. Similar training programmes will also be organized in three other centres of the city including ITI Mohanganj, Mahila ITI Charbagh and ITI Charbagh.

Furthermore, the project will be carried out in 15 other districts and will be completed in six months. Incidentally, it will start in every district's ITI and at UPSDM training centres.