After Being Stalked & Harassed, This Actress Turned A Mumbai Beach Into Kung Fu Classroom For Girls!
Not many know that Versova beach in Mumbai turns into Kung fu classes on the weekends, all thanks to the courage and vision of two people. These self-defence classes for underprivileged girls are arranged by Fernandes, who owns the Life Institute of Tai Chi, Martial Arts and Healing Research Centre, and entrepreneur and actor Ishita Sharma.
Remember the girl we saw in Dil Dosti Etc. Yes, that was Ishita. After her reel efforts, her commendable real efforts are surely making this world a better place.
Indicine
Apart from being an actress, Ishita is a Kathak Dancer, anchor and story-teller. She also owns a performing arts institute called AAMAD in Mumbai.
However, the idea of these self-defence classes for girls came to her after one horrid incident. Ishita said:
Ishata Sharma/Instagram
¡°I was driving in Shastri Nagar, Andheri, at 10.30 pm one night when I spotted a bunch of boys following me on bikes. Slowing down and speeding up, and staring didn¡¯t help. It was finally when I rolled down the window and shouted that they scooted. I learnt that we need courage, to stand up and make some noise!"
And that¡¯s when she chose to act on it. She was attending Alex Fernandes¡¯ kung fu class & she decided to partner with her coach to provide free classes to underprivileged girls at Versova beach.
Facebook/AAMAD
After she partnered with Alex, both of them started meeting municipal school authorities and parents to inform them about the upcoming self-defence classes. She added, ¡°The classes were to start on January 16, but no one turned up. We then returned to the schools and had the teachers speak to the kids asking them to try a class¡±
Facebook/AAMAD
Even when parents looked distressed and not very ¡®keen¡¯, giving up was never on their list. No one turned up for their first session. They tried again on 6th February. The kids from the slum noticed the team and that¡¯s when they decided to approach the kids. ¡°Fighting seekhega?¡± asked the volunteers and it became an instant hit!
Facebook/Versova
Here are the details of this wonderful beach initiative called #MukkaMaar!
Facebook/MukkaMaar
To accommodate as many underprivileged girls possible, these classes have been kept free of cost. We hope the number keeps shooting up! All the best Nirali-Alex! :)
