Jamshedpur Angling Club (JAC) is trying to make city women fall hook, line and sinker for the male-dominated sport.
The sexagenarian club, which opened its doors to women in September last year but has not yet been able to get a single woman member so far, has decided to take help from Tata Steel in the matter.
Club members will attend a host of programmes hosted by Tata Steel Rural Development Society (TSRDS) and the company's urban services wing where they will get the chance to interact with women and motivate them to try their hand at angling.
"Our efforts to attract women towards angling have made no headway. Now we have decided to meet and motivate women at events hosted by Tata Steel Rural Development Society and the company's urban services wing," JAC president B.N. Mohanty told The Telegraph.
"The club is quite sure that women attending Tata Steel programmes will be more inclined towards angling," Mohanty added.
The idea of enrolling women struck members after some women showed interest during in angling at the annual contest last year.
Enthused, the club distributed handbills to reach out to women, especially those with a knack for adventure.
JAC even decided to allot an exclusive spot near Tata zoo for women anglers to ensure their safety.
"We discussed the women membership issue at our executive committee meeting in April this year. But, things did not take a positive turn. Most women still think angling is a male-dominated activity and keep away from fishing," said a club member.
Nasim Khan, another member of the club, agreed.
He said women come to watch angling at Jayanti Saraovar, but show no interest in holding the fishing rod. "Many women are still conservative. They prefer to keep themselves busy in the kitchen cooking fish dishes for the family rather than venture out with a fishing rod," he added wryly.
The angling club, a male bastion since 1947 when it was set up, has 235 members at present. The one-time subscription is Rs 10,000 and the annual fee is Rs 1,000. JAC hosts regular angling events at Jayanti Sarovar, Beldih Lake and Bara Lake.
