PASIGHAT, Mar 8: In a bid to bridge the gap between awareness and action, the Arunachal Pradesh University (APU) organized a specialized self-defence workshop at its campus here today to mark the 115th International Women’s Day (IWD) celebration.
Collectively spearheaded by the APU’s women faculty members, and aimed to promote personal safety and equip the campus community with practical, real-world survival skills, the workshop featured expert instruction from Jasbir Singh, a karate black belt 2nd Dan and lead trainer of the JS Karate Club, Pasighat. He was joined by co-trainers Gena Mana Kadu and Neyi Kirkom (both karate purple belt).
Moving beyond theoretical discussions, the training team conducted rigorous practical demonstrations and interactive sessions, focusing on basic yet effective techniques to neutralize physical threats.
The initiative saw an impressive turnout of over 50 participants. Demonstrating that safety is a universal concern, the workshop saw active involvement from both male and female students, alongside faculty members who engaged in the drills with enthusiasm.
Attending the event, Registrar Narmi Darang praised the women faculty for their leadership in organizing the session. He underscored that self-defence should be viewed as an “essential life skill” that fundamentally transforms a person’s confidence and sense of security.
Darang also conveyed the best wishes of Vice Chancellor Prof Tomo Riba, who expressed a strong vision for the university’s future. The VC suggested that these sessions should not be a one-off event but should be institutionalized. He encouraged the organizers to explore the feasibility of bi-weekly, weekly, or monthly training modules to ensure the entire university fraternity remains prepared and empowered.
Dr. Menuka Kadu, the Programme Coordinator and HoD Social Work, spoke on the significance of the 2026 International Women’s Day theme, “Give to Gain.”
She explained that the spirit of this theme transcends monetary charity, focusing instead on creating opportunities and platforms where women can maximize their inherent capabilities.
“Our goal is to create a secure environment where every gender feels confident,” Dr Kadu stated. She further challenged the attendees to ensure the workshop's impact didn't end at the campus gates, urging every participant to practise the techniques and teach at least one other person.