The National School of Combat Art teaches women to fight back, using karate, kick-boxing and Eskrima, a popular martial arts form from the Philippines

As a child, Sanya Modak was shy, meek and submissive never daring to look into your eyes as she spoke. Today, the 20-year-old is a transformed young woman, not only taking in the confidently but also quite ready to respond with a well-aimed kick or a punch if you mess with her.

A resident of a sprawling slum in Bandra, Sanya’s life changed when the National School of Combat Art (NSCA) visited the Anjuman-e-Islam school where she studied, and offered the girls classes in martial arts. For many others in the school too, this was a ticket to a new and improved self, a confidence makeover.

NSCA is an institute teaching martial arts to young kids, especially girls from underprivileged sections. Significantly, most of its patrons are from the Muslim community.

Completing 25 years this year, the institute is run by a feisty 42-year-old, Radhika Sheikh. “Women cutting across all barriers of caste and community are a vulnerable lot. But, after the riots, many innocent Muslim women were harassed. They became unnecessary victims. My late husband Arif Sheikh and I were irked by this, we wanted to do something for these young women,” says Radhika.

They started their first branch in Nagpada. After advertising in Urdu newspapers, the duo tied up with Anjuman-e-Islam schools dotting the city and soon, their movement started flourishing.Today, the institute has branches all across the country from Mizoram to Kerala to Bangalore.

... contd.