Odisha to provide self-defence training to girls

The Odisha government will provide self-defence training to 2.5 lakh college girls in the next six months, an official said Wednesday.

The decision was taken at a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in the state secretariat Wednesday.

At least 300 trainers have been shortlisted to provide self-defence skills, including martial arts, to students of colleges of the state, an official at the chief minister's office told IANS.

While 200 trainers have been selected from colleges, police will provide 100 trainers.

The spurt in incidents of rapes and violence against women in the country has prompted various state and central authorities to initiate measures to ensure their safety and security.