RANGPUR, Feb 19, 2021 (BSS) – A two-day martial arts training for adolescents began with the slogan ‘Healthy Adolescent, Safe Future’ at Boda Pilot Girls’ School and College ground in Boda upazila of Panchagarh district on Friday.
Railways Minister Advocate Md. Nurul Islam Sujan, MP, inaugurated the training in a function arranged by Panchagarh district administration to implement its initiative of ‘Kanyaratna’ (Golden Girl) in the Mujib Year as the chief guest.
Some 100 teenage girls from across Boda upazila are taking part in the event where they will be imparted training on basic technique of self-defense, evils of child marriage and necessity of reproductive health education.
Internationally renowned trainers Grandmaster Mac Yuri Bajramuni and Captain (Retd) Shahnaz Jahan are conducting various sessions in the training.
Initially, 500 adolescents from five upazilas of Panchagarh district will be given martial arts training in self-defense and empowerment under the initiative.
Presided over by Superintendent of Police for Panchagarh Mohammad Yusuf Ali, Deputy Commissioner Dr. Sabina Yasmin attended the inaugural ceremony as the special guest.
Boda Upazila Chairman Farooque Alam Toby, Boda Municipal Mayor Advocate Wahiduzzaman Shuja, Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Azad Jahan, Upazila Nirbahi Officer Solaiman Ali and Headmaster of Boda Pilot Girls’ School and College Rabiul Alam Sabula also spoke.
The Railways Minister Nurul said ‘Kanyaratna’ has now become a brand in Panchagarh district.
As ambassadors of the district administration, teenage girls are enhancing their own awareness about child marriage and reproductive health and making the others conscious across the district.
Martial arts training will further boost confidence of the teenage girls and help them move forward.
Deputy Commissioner Dr. Sabina Yasmin said the special initiative was named as ‘Kanyaratna’ on the occasion of the Mujib Year marking the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
She said 1,700 school-going girls of the district have already received one bicycle each as educational materials under the initiative to prevent child marriage and empower women.
“More bicycles will be given to school-going teenage girls,” she said, adding that martial art training has been arranged to further increase their self-confidence and morale.