At Dance Festival 2025 in Pune, Ms. Kranti Petkar of the Ranragini wing underscored a clear message: as women’s empowerment advances, self‑defence training has become essential for young women’s safety, confidence, and autonomy. The intervention situated personal safety within a broader social context, linking individual preparedness to collective well‑being in Maharashtra and beyond.
The emphasis on self‑defence aligns with widely recognized benefits: heightened situational awareness, assertive communication, de‑escalation skills, and the capacity to seek timely assistance. Such competencies not only reduce everyday vulnerabilities during commuting and campus life but also nurture psychological confidencean outcome repeatedly associated with sustained participation in structured training programs. In this sense, self‑defence becomes a practical expression of women’s empowerment rather than a peripheral add‑on.
This approach also resonates with the shared values across dharmic traditionsHinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhismwhich uphold dignity, self‑mastery, and responsibility toward self and society. Traditional disciplines such as kalaripayattu and gatka exemplify a heritage of disciplined movement, restraint, and mindful defence, while yogic breath control supports composure under pressure. Framed through these lenses, self‑defence training reflects a unifying ethos: cultivating inner steadiness while exercising prudent, non‑aggressive protection of self and others.
Practical pathways emerge for communities and institutions. Schools, colleges, and community centres can host age‑appropriate, evidence‑informed modules that prioritize awareness, boundary‑setting, safe escapes, peer support, and clear protocols for reporting and redress. Integrating short workshops into cultural calendarssuch as festivals and community eventsnormalizes participation and reduces barriers to entry. Collaboration with certified instructors and local organizations in Pune and across Maharashtra can further ensure accessibility, continuity, and safety.
Audience responses at the festival indicated strong community receptivity. Parents and students commonly observed that structured training reduces anxiety in public spaces and fosters a sense of solidarity among peers. When participants train together, they do more than learn techniques; they cultivate trust, vigilance for one another, and a shared language for safetyall of which strengthen community resilience.
In highlighting self‑defence as a cornerstone of empowerment, Ms. Kranti Petkar’s message at Dance Festival 2025 connects cultural heritage and contemporary needs. The outcome sought is straightforward yet profound: young women equipped with the skills, confidence, and presence of mind to navigate daily life securelythereby advancing both personal freedom and a cohesive, caring social fabric.
Inspired by this post on Hindu Jagruti Samiti.
