Besides Sewing Skills, USHA Is Empowering Rural Women And Youth To Learn Traditional Sports
Updated: December 02, 2022 16:19 IST
While some women are breaking barriers by excelling in traditional forms of martial arts, other women are breaking barriers by fighting social prejudices. Besides teaching sewing and stitching skills in Silai schools, USHA is empowering women and youth to learn and participate in traditonal martial art forms and local sports.
USHA collaborated with the Malabar Social Service Society to organise the ‘USHA Kalaripayattu Mahotsavam - 2022' and people from all walks of life joined the event to support the initiative.
Children showcased various moves using shields and sticks. The performances also included manoeuvres using swords and other weapons. USHA believes that this investment in indigenous sports is about participation and popularity, not competition and winning.
To nurture local communities and sports at the grassroots level and to promote a healthy and active lifestyle USHA International along with the Malem Apunba Thang - Ta Maheikol and People's Development Society organised a two day Thang-Ta competition in Imphal, Manipur.
The Thang-Ta competition was held in four categories - sub junior boys and girls and junior boys and girls. A majority of the participants were children of women from USHA's Silai Schools in Imphal East and Imphal West, which were set up in 2013.
The origin of Thang-Ta goes as far back as the 17th century and it uses swords and spears. Also known as Huyen Langlon , Thang -Ta is more than just the training of fighting skills. It is an elaborate system of physical culture that involves breathing methods, meditations and rituals.
The four gold medalists, Mangte Chan Chan Kom in the junior girls category, Sapam Naresh in junior boys, Konjengbam Yaiphaba in the sub junior boys and Oinam Zurich in the sub junior girls category, were awarded prizes from USHA International along with mementos and certificates.
USHA along with the Priyaposh Mission, in a remote part of the Simdega district of Jharkhand, played host to an archery competition for people of all age groups.
It created a buzz in the neighbouring villages and attracted people in large numbers - most of whom were renewing their association with archery after ages, but had ample enthusiasm for just participating in the event.
For local villagers, it isn't just a way of staying in touch with their traditions, but it also creates an atmosphere of fun. The bonding fosters a sense of community, which is always necessary for the well-being and overall development of a community.
