AMRITSAR: The classes for one-year-diploma-course in martial art `gatka’ at historic Khalsa College has rolled on. The 50-seats course has been initiated following the MoU signed by the college with Dubai based NGO, Sarbat Da Bhalla (SDB) `free of cost’. The 75 per cent of fee of the course is to be born by SDB and rest by the College. The aim of the course is to preserve and promote the vanishing traditional martial art, said College authorities.
The MoU regarding this was recently signed by Principal of Khalsa College Dr.Mehal Singh and SDB Managing Trustee and a well known philanthropist SP Singh Oberio in presence of Khalsa College Governing Council (KCGC) honouarry secretary Rajinder Mohan Singh Chhina. Oberio visited the college campus and saw the performance of the students and also handed over the cheque for Rs.11.2 lakhs to the college authorities today.
The Diploma covers the one year academic and sports program and is open to students who have passed 10+2 examination and even degree students. Oberio announced that following the completion of the diploma he would also ensure that the students get jobs as there is rising demand for the Gatka Coaches throughout the world.
``We also want that the Gatka competitions are arranged at state and then national level. We are also planning for the world cup in Gatka and even will try to introduce it as a game in the Olympics’’, said Oberio. Dr. Mehal Singh said that it was historic day that such an initiative has been taken to promote the art that is being forgotten in the modern times. ``The art form Gatka has great religious and military significance in the Indian and Punjabi traditions’’, said Dr.Mehal Singh.