It has been three days since Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's visit to Jharsuguda of Odisha but the children in the industrial town are still reminiscing about the experience of practising martial arts with the Gandhi scion.
Rahul spent around three hours with young karatekas of the National Karate Foundation, Jharsuguda, at his Yatra makeshift camp and entertained them with his martial arts moves. He sparred with them at his makeshift camp and the children thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
Debarpan Das, a Class XI student of Ghanashyam Hemlata Vidyamandir of Jharsuguda, told The Telegraph: “It’s a lifetime opportunity to hone your karate skills with Rahul Gandhi who is an expert in martial arts. He taught us various skills on how to overcome the enemy even without causing any physical harm. He also told us how to imitate different skills of animals and practise it and how it could help in increasing the combat skills.”
Soumya Ranjan Sahu, a Class VII student of Aparnaa World School, said: “The experience will remain with me forever throughout my life. He also taught about the facets of life and how to remain calm and control anger.”
Soumya Ranjan's father Manoranjan Sahu said: "I still cannot believe my son practised with Rahul."
Pranab Behera, a Class VI student of Vikash Techno School, also expressed his happiness over his interaction with Rahul.
P. Bhabani Shankar, mother of a Class II student of St. Thomas English School, Jharsuguda, said: “My daughter P. Nitisha Shanmukha Sri was so happy after returning from the camp. He blessed my daughter and told her how it's very important for a girl to master the art of self-defence. I will ensure she masters the martial arts and knows how to protect herself in adverse situations.”
Sushanta Gupta, coach of the National Karate Foundation, Jharsuguda, said: “We got an invitation from Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra office that he wanted to practise karate with our budding players at his Yatra makeshift camp. We could not believe it at first. Immediately 25 students got ready to interact with Rahul on February 7. We went there and spent three hours from 7.30pm to 10.30pm practising martial arts. It was a clear instruction that no one except the players would be allowed to the practising place.”
The coach, who has been practising karate since 1995, said: “Rahul individually practised with players and talked to them and said how it was essential to remain fit and calm.”
Gupta, a black belt holder, said: "Rahul Gandhi is an expert in Brazilian martial art Jiu-Jitsu and Japanese martial art Aikido. He, along with his coach, shared tips with us. We also shared our experience. All our students were invited to a dinner.”
Sudarshan Das, a senior Congress leader, said: “I had earlier seen a good leadership quality in Rahul Ji and now I have seen the quality of a guru, a friend and a guide in him. The way he practised martial arts enthusiastically was amazing.”
