The Physical Education Curriculum for Teacher’s Training Courses, in India consist of self-defence and various forms of combative sports that include Judo, Karate, Taekwondo, Boxing and Lathi (Indian stick). Each university can choose any one of these forms for their Bachelor and Master degree courses. At Jadavpur University, an esteemed five-star University in Kolkata, India, Karate training is imparted as the self-defence art form. It is taught regularly in the odd and even semesters to the under graduate and post graduate students, since 2017.
The course content is the Jadavpur University is aligned to the JKA Kyu grading syllabus from 10th Kyu to 8th Kyu. Additionally, progressive self-defence moves are also imparted to orient the students on possible practical scenarios in real life. This professional course moulds the students into future teachers, but since they have no idea about karate it is imbibed within them in a very basic elementary pattern in line with the JKA teaching methodology.
The teachings initiate an understanding about the need and importance of karate-do for the development of mind, body and life as a whole. The Karate classes in Jadavpur University are conducted by Mrs. Puneet Bhattacharya (4th Dan JKA; Technical Committee Member of JKAWF INDIA Kolkata), an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physical Education, at the University.
It has been noticed in the last three years that many students do continue their practice of karate in their nearby JKA dojo after completion of their semesters in the university. The students develop an interest and are unable to part with their karate training that they learn in the university. Many of them even take their Kyu grading tests under ‘JKAWF INDIA Kolkata’ privately progressing towards Dan levels.
The Physical Education Course in the university is fully residential for all students. Since March 2020 the university is closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic in India, and all the students are sent home. Many live in such remote location that they are unable to attend online classes conducted by the university professors. The Department of Physical Education have come up with the idea of connecting 15 students in groups over tele calling while the professors carry out their classes and supply study materials through WhatsApp.
Karate classes were also covered in these tele conferences through verbal explanation about correct posture, Japanese terminologies of techniques, execution and body dynamics of karate complimented with notes and illustrations. Students are taught JKA Kihon until the rank of 8th Kyu and Kata Taikyoku Shodan and Heian Shodan. JKA rules for karate competition and history of the art are also discussed. The university has recently conducted online Karate examinations too for their semester examination.
The University has now allocated fund and identified the students that need smart phones and internet data packages to support them in attending online classes. From this fresh semester karate has begun in virtual mode in Jadavpur University and about 70 students are attending these classes online at the moment. Through regular online training thee students have become more aware of the mental, technical and tactical aspects of karate-do. Karate is no more restricted to the university dojo, now. It is commendable to see the spirit of the students to embrace the Japanese art of empty hand through this online learning methodology where literally, their spirit comes before technique.