Martialling the law

His karate academy, All India Gojukai Karate-Do (IKGA), is the official school (for special training in martial art) for the Maharashtra state police forces, all India police forces and the Bombay police. "The golden rule is — the man wielding the gun and the lathi has to be very fit,” says seventh dan (degree) black belt Kyoshi Vispy Kapadia, the academy’s founder, director and chief instructor. For security agencies, the long march to burning off fatal fat, building bodies with mobility and muscle, minds with sharp antennae and sharper reflexes defines the fine line between life and death in close encounters. "We give the guardians of the law practice in self-defense techniques and street survival, in unarmed combat as well as defence against knives, swords, chains, sticks…” he says. Kapadia has been imparting this training free of cost for a long and continuous period of 28 years.

In recognition of Kapadia’s immense contribution, Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram presented him a Lifetime Achievement Award from the All India Karate-Do Federation (AIKF) at a function in New Delhi in March. Present on the occasion were Suresh Kalmadi, president of the Indian Olympic Associa­tion(IOA), Yashwant Bhave, Secretary, Government of India, Sudhir Nath, Secretary, Sports, Government of India and other top officials. The function was preceded by the First All India Police and Paramilitary Forces Championship conducted by the AIKF. The Union Minister appreciated the strong support system we provide to the forces, Kapadia says. Kalmadi commended Kapadia for the propagation of karate in Maharashtra and stated that karate has been included as a demonstration sport in the Commonwealth Games to be hosted in New Delhi next year. Kapadia was officially handed over the flag for Maharashtra to hold the next All India Police and Paramilitary Karate Championship.

In a security scenario that demands that the cop on the beat be lean and mean, Kapadia’s work assumes added significance. "Right now we are training eight to 10 men from every police station, from all the five regions of Bombay. Constables are trained to wield lathis for disarming techniques, to bring opponents to the floor with grips, locks, holds, without hitting with the lathi. We also train men from the SOS (Special Operational Squad) and arms division for VIP security and duties,” he explains. Within the school’s ambit are members of the SRPF (State Reserve Police Force) as well as the district police all over Maharashtra, including those in Naxal areas.

Home minister P. Chidambaram (extreme right) presents award to Kyoshi Vispy Kapadia as AIKF president Thyagarajan (left) and IOA president Suresh Kalmadi look on

Kapadia has also trained, and continues to do so, members of the SRP (State Railway Police), the CID (Criminal Investigation Department), CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation), ITBP (Indo-Tibetan Border Police), CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force), CISF (Central Industrial Security Force), BSF (Border Security Force), state commandos and the NSG (National Security Guard). Some of the training imparted is through affiliate branches of his academy. "We have developed a cadre of instructors from within the police itself,” Kapadia states, adding that over 200 women commandos have been trained in Bombay city. K. L. Prasad, joint commissioner of police, law and order, Sadanand Date, additional commissioner, central region and commissioner of police Hasan Gafoor have been proactive and appreciated the good work done, Kapadia asserts.

"I have really enjoyed my work (with the forces at all levels). We have taught techniques of judo, karate, aikido… use of weapons like the tonfa (two sticks), nunchaku (a pair of sticks connected with a short chain or cord) and sai (which resembles a trishul). We have taken them abroad for competitions, self-defense courses, refreeing courses… This has been our contribution. Strong policemen mean a better society. It has brought so much goodwill and appreciation. I have put my life’s hard work into it,” remarks the martial art expert who was awarded the Shiv Chhatrapati Award for karate way back in 1986.

Kapadia is also chief coach of the national team and executive council member of Commonwealth Karate, vice president of the AIKF and president of the Maharashtra Karate Association, among other offices. National teams are scheduled to participate this year in championships in Bangkok, Morocco, Greece, China, South Africa… Last June, the team picked up seven medals (two gold and five bronze) at the Fourth Commonwealth Karate Championship in Edinburgh — the first time in 30 years of AIKF participation. "India is beginning to fare very well. We are showing results internationally and I am very happy about that,” Kapadia says.

Kapadia’s other immense contribution is his annual Zochild program. Organized and conducted by the Zoroastrian Children’s Foundation (ZCF), of which he is the founder chairman and managing trustee, Zochild brings together around 2,000 Zoroastrian youngsters each year for two days of fun, frolic, teaching and community bonding, with the ZCF shouldering the substantial expenses involved.