Martial arts came in handy for Varnika: Father

Rajinder Nagarkoti

Tribune News Service

Panchkula, August 10

“Martial arts training gave confidence to Varnika to tackle the situation with her presence of mind,” says stalking victim Varnika’s father VS Kundu, a senior IAS officer of the Haryana cadre.

Kundu, a second-degree black belt holder, says Varnika is a first-degree black belt holder in choi kwang do.

Kundu’s wife Sucheta and their two daughters — Varnika and Satvika — all are first-degree black belt holders in choi kwang do.

Kundu’s message is that people should train their children, especially girls, in martial arts as it gives them confidence to handle such situations.

Varnika’s coach Bikram Thapa, a sixth-degree black belt holder who runs an academy in Sector 16, Panchkula, says Varnika is like his daughter and he is happy that she is safe.

Thapa says the way Varnika reversed her car and used her presence of mind to call the Police Control Room clearly shows the control she has over her body and mind, which ultimately helped her.

“A normal person would have shivered and panicked, but Varnika kept her cool and handled the situation well. In martial arts, we not only teach how to deal with attackers physically but also that presence of mind is a key factor,” says 44-year-old Thapa.

“We always teach students to use ‘body force’ to hit the attackers. Girls can use their hair clip, vehicle key or pen to hit the attacker. The girls should not fear and should handle the situation with confidence,” says Thapa. 

Tips for girls 

• Girls should hit first, and hit hard
• Hit the attacker on the nose, eye or on the neck, and with full force
• Use your kick or knee, and hit in the groin area of the attacker 
• Use your vehicle key to hit the attacker on the face

Family shows the way 

Martial arts coach Bikram Singh Thapa says Kundu’s is the first family in the region all members of which have been awarded a black belt.

How it all started 

Initially, Kundu’s younger daughter Satvika joined the martial arts classes. Later, seeing Satvika practise, all family members joined the classes. Mother Sucheta also taught martial arts to destitute children at Bal Niketan, Sector 2, and Bal Sadan, Sector 12-A, in Panchkula. VS Kundu is now the president of the Choi Kwang Do Federation of India whereas Bikram Thapa is the general secretary.