Dras, Ladakh: A five-day Karate Club, organised by Wildlife and Nature Trials and Himalayan Sports and Cultural Development Organization, concluded on February 14 in Dras, the second coldest inhabited place in the world. The Karate Club was a high-altitude winter martial arts camp for the locals, aimed at boosting their physical, mental and spiritual fitness in harsh climatic conditions.
The camp was attended by over 100 participants, ranging from children to adults, who learned various techniques and skills of karate from experienced instructors. The camp also included sessions on yoga, meditation, and wildlife conservation. The participants expressed their gratitude and enthusiasm for the opportunity to learn karate and its benefits for their health and well-being.
The organisers of the camp said that the main objective was to promote karate as a sport and a way of life among the people of Ladakh, especially in the remote areas like Dras. They said that karate can help the locals cope with the challenges of living in extreme cold and high altitude, as well as foster a sense of discipline, confidence, and self-defense. They also hoped that the camp would inspire more Ladakhis to take up karate and represent the region at national and international levels.
The camp was supported by the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Kargil, and the District Administration, Kargil. The chief guest of the closing ceremony was the Deputy Commissioner of Kargil, Shri Santosh Sukhadeve, who appreciated the efforts of the organisers and the participants. He also distributed certificates and medals to the participants and the instructors.
The Karate Club was the first of its kind in Dras and received positive feedback from the locals and the media. The organisers plan to conduct more such camps in the future in different parts of Ladakh to spread the message of karate and its benefits for the people of the region.
