Chitradurga: The department of youth affairs and sports, in association with the education department and General Thimmaiah National Adventure Academy (Bengaluru), recently trained children in swimming so they are equipped with the life skill which comes in handy during floods or other emergencies.
Around 100 children, studying in Class V to X at select schools of Hosadurga taluk in Chitradurga district, got the training in the backwaters of Vani Vilas Sagar (VV Sagar) in Chitradurga district from September 28 to October 29. The programme was chalked out following the recent death of two schoolchildren, who were washed away in Dodda Halla near Gulihatti village.
During the launch of the camp, local MLA Gulihatti D Shekhar said that over 20 schoolchildren in the region had met a watery grave during floods over the last three years. Some more kids, who did not know how to swim, have also lost their lives after drowning in farm ponds, lakes, tanks, and the like.
Shabbir. F, manager of Water Sports Centre at VV Sagar, said students were lucky to learn swimming at the biggest water sports training centre of the state. The students were not charged fee under the residential programme. They were made to swim for 1.5 hours during morning and evening hours. They were also trained in kayaking, rafting and boat riding. Cultural events were lined up, he said, adding the general public were not allowed to the centre during the camp.
District youth services and sports officer Diwakar said that the students were selected based on the survey conducted by BEO Jayappa. “The training will boost the courage of students, who have also been covered under life insurance,” Diwakar added.