Daughters of Shakti: 242 Girls Learn Lathi Kathi in Shevgaon

Sankalp Abhinav Bharat Foundation

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This Navratri, the festival of Shakti, the girls of Shevgaon picked up the lathi and discovered a new kind of strength. From 12 to 17 October 2026, Sankalp Abhinav Bharat Foundation (SAB Foundation) held Lathi Kathi Self Defence Training Camps for Girls (लाठी काठी प्रशिक्षण शिबिर) in Shevgaon, District Ahilyanagar, Maharashtra.

A total of 242 girls were trained in two shifts. Attendance stayed strong from start to finish, with about 210 girls attending every day.

Two Shifts, Three Institutions

The camp ran from 12 to 17 October in two shifts. The morning shift was held at New Arts, Commerce and Science College, Shevgaon, organised by SAB Foundation together with the college’s NCC department. 167 girls from the college and from Residential Highschool and Jr College of Science, Shevgaon took part.

The evening shift was held with Padmabhushan Balasaheb Bharde Highschool and Junior College, Shevgaon, as part of its Navratri celebrations. 75 girls from the school joined the evening shift.

Why Lathi Kathi Matters

Lathi Kathi is a traditional martial art of Maharashtra. Training girls in it builds their confidence, discipline and ability to protect themselves. It also keeps our tradition and culture alive.

Holding the camp during Navratri, the festival of Shakti, made it even more meaningful. While the festival celebrated the strength of the Goddess, these girls were building strength of their own.

From Practice to a Proud Demonstration

Sensei Vishal Gadkari led the training, supported by Sainath Gayke, who also coordinated the camp. Day by day, the girls learned the skills of Lathi Kathi with steady practice, building physical agility, coordination and discipline.

The camp closed on 17 October, and each shift held its own closing ceremony that day. On the final day, the girls gave a demonstration of the Lathi Kathi skills they had learned, in front of their parents and guests. It was a proud moment for the girls, their families and everyone at SAB Foundation.

Every girl received a certificate, presented by the guests at the closing ceremonies. Social worker Shri Umesh Bhalsing, promoter of the Adarsh Gaon concept, attended the evening shift ceremony at Bharde Highschool as chief guest and said that girls too should learn our traditional art. SAB Foundation volunteer Indrajeet Deshmukh encouraged the girls to use what they learned to stay alert about their own safety.

The camps were covered in four newspapers: Sarvamat, Divya Marathi, Taji Khabare and Sakal.

With Gratitude

A camp like this is only possible when many people come together. We sincerely thank Sensei Vishal Gadkari and Sainath Gayke for their skill and dedication, and Shri Umesh Bhalsing for his guidance and support.

We are grateful to Dr. Purushottam Kunde, Vice Principal, New Arts, Commerce and Science College, who presided over the morning shift closing ceremony, and to Lt. Narayan Gore of the college’s NCC department. We also thank Principal Umesh Ghevarikar, Bharde Highschool, and all the teachers and staff who encouraged the girls and made both shifts a success.

What’s Next

This camp is only the beginning. Next year, we plan to take this training to girls in 6 schools, so that many more girls can learn Lathi Kathi and grow in confidence.