Bihar government will train all girl students in martial art for self-defence and as part of the programme , Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said today.
Martial training for girls is required across the country and all schools would get trainers in judo and karate, Kumar said.
Kumar, who was visibly impressed with the display of judo and karate by about 2,400 girl students at Gandhi Maidan at the end of Bihar sub-junior sports meet, announced that the government would bear the entire cost for girls who were selected from the state to any international event or martial art competition.
To encourage girls to join martial arts, he said from next year more than 10,000 girls would demonstrate their talents at the state foundation day programme on March 22.
Kumar said attendance in schools had gone up due to the launching of the bicycle scheme for girls by his government. As a result female literacy rate has increased - a fact which was evident from the fact that the number of girl students had now leapfrogged from 1.7 lakh to 6.5 lakh.
Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi said display of martial art by girl students proved that self-confidence has increased among girls in the state.
Cricketer V V S Lakshman, who was present at the closing ceremony at Moin-ul-Haq stadium, praised development of Bihar under Kumar.
"Due to the dynamic leadership of Nitish Kumar Bihar is making developmental strides ... Bihar government is paying equal importance to sports along with education which is commendable," he said.
