At a time when concern for women security has risen to an
unprecedented scale due to frequent assaults on them, a man from Maharashtra is busy helping thousands of young girls in
self-defence wherever he can.
Having studied martial art at 5th century Shaolin Temple
in China and Kallaripayattu,
one of the oldest fighting systems in existence, in Kerala, Grandmaster Shifuji
feels intrigued at women’s vulnerability in India.
He believes the present scenario in the country requires
women being self-reliant in protecting themselves in everyday life and able to
dodge any attack perpetrated on them. For which he has developed special protection
and survival tactics.
“I have been trained in world's oldest art forms like
Kallaripauattu, spent a long time at Shaolin Temple of China to understand the
hidden Chi Qi power (energy cultivation),” he says. “But it is the same thing,
taught in Indian Hath Yog, as Kundali Kriya.”
From being a street fighter to going on to practice almost
every fighting form of the world, Shifuji, in his late 30s, feels nothing works
during street fights since such fights require distinct survival tactics.
“For such peculiar and sudden situations, I have developed
my own tactics for the women. I also developed my own martial arts known as
Shifuji's Fusion Kung-fu.”
About this odyssey in martial art world, Shifuji, called
Deepak at home, devotes his everything to his mother Asha Maan, father Krishan
Gopal, wife Aarti and daughter Diksha, who have always been the biggest support
in realising his dream of “helping the
helpless”.
Shifuji, who draws entire inspiration from freedom fighter
Shaheed Bhagat Singh’s biggest disciple, believes “Kranti vicharon se aayegi ,
hathyaron se nahin (revolution in life is possible through thought, not
weapons)” and running an organisation MITTI.
“MITTI (Maan, Indian Traditional Training Institute) selects
girls basically from orphanages and places where they have failed to get basic
education.”
“This organisation is meant to create a set up where we can
empower these girls by traditional skills along with enabling them to rise
through basic education and motivate them to take up civil services,” says
Shifuji.
He feels there is a strong need for corporate sector to
ensure its staff feels confident enough while stepping out of their homes or
offices. “Private companies should ensure self defence training for women.”
“What’s wrong in letting everyone be fit and know the art of
self protection?”
Shifuji explains that self-defence training doesn’t required
being a martial art player. It is a completely different science altogether.
“It is all about knowing your own strength and weaknesses.”
“What I personally train in is the art of self realisation,
protection skills and survival tactics along with situation-reaction tactics
within a week.”
With a focus to aware people and inspire them to train
themselves for self protection, Shifuji says his innovative self-defence tactics
include special ways of using available accessories like bangles, ATM or Id
cards, cellphone, key ring, dupatta, nails, notebook, pen, or even hairclip.
He says his dream is “to prepare a good and safe environment
for Indian women and help the youth in leading a disciplined and focused life”
and advocates compulsory six-month military training to be included in Indian
education system.
Asked if he feels the willingness to propagate the art of
self defence in colleges, schools and local societies is missing on
government’s part, he said “I don't speak anything about anyone but yes I know
what I am doing and that it works for people in daily life.”
“I don't talk about problems because I am working to offer
solutions. Blaming the government isn't my motto. I wish to do my bit for the
society.”
With an aim “to train about one crore women through Mission
Prahar project”, Dubey says he has been successful in imparting training to
about 30 lakh women in survival tactics in schools, colleges, institutes and
different organisations across India.
Having been Special Commando trainer of Hawk Commandos, and
Counter Terrorist Group besides being special skills trainer for Indian Revenue
Service and Indian Foreign Service officers, he takes pride in his Shatru
Vinashak killing skills and single second knock out systems for commandos.
A brand ambassador of Madhya Pradesh Right, Shifufji says he
is working over creating the Ulimate Close Quarter Battle System for Indian
special forces and commandos.
He has been special commando trainer for anti-urbarn
terrorism skills for Mumbai police after Mumbai terror attack and mostly trained
people in parts of rural India
including places like Dantewada (Chhattisgarh), Ernakulam (Kerala), and
Jaisalmer (Rajasthan).
About the scope of
martial art in India,
Shifuji says: “I personally think any martial art is like a prayer and a
lifestyle with a sense of no return. It should always be taken as a discipline
of life than a career.”
“If you take it as a
sport it may help you to convert it in to a business. But I feel that your aim
should be clear.”
Asked if government
should promote such things for women and children due to rising incidents of
rape or crime against women, Dubey said: “Instead of martial art training being
viewed a ultimate thing what is important is survival training, which is based
on the body science.”
“I believed in it
when I started my Mission Prahar 14 years ago,
due to my study of things and passion.”
Presently associated with most of the top Bollywood stars,
and a part of few action movies as an action choreographer, Shifuji wants
people to realise the need for self-training before expecting others to help
them in trying times.
“I wish young brothers and sisters to introspect what they have
done to protect even themselves. If they haven't, there is no point blaming others.
Everyone should train himself to be fit and be able to protect oneself.”
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