Summer camps a hit among women, youth

Vijayawada: It is time for summer vacation. This summer season has much more than just spending the vacation with family and friends. Pursuing some hobby, acquiring new skills, trying their hands at different handmade arts and craft are what the today’s women and youngsters are into. Many educational institutions are coming forward to impart these skill-based training to them. The striking feature of these training classes is that either they are offered for free or charged very nominal towards materials.

Siddhartha Mahila Kalasala, PB Siddhartha Arts and Science College, Kakaraparthi Bhavanarayana (KBN) College were a few famous institutions, which are taking classes for the interested women and students. The vocational courses are aimed to enrich skills of women and enable them to start off their own plans.

Some of the courses that are being taught include yoga, art of living, painting, drawing, photoshop designing, paper quilling, 3D designing (Basic), best out of waste products in the regular field. For some who are interested in arts and theatre, acting skills, Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, vocals, guitar, violin, tabla, keyboard are a nice option to pick. There are enticing courses for girls who love to learn Mehendi application, sari painting, glass painting, embroidery and tailoring, fabric designing and beautician courses.

Kanaparthi Prabhavathi who has been attending the courses in KBN College regularly said, “I personally like the handmade things. I learnt embroidery, soft toy making and wool weaving previously. The courses offered at KBN College are for free and it is an opportunity to acquire new skills. I enroll my name for different courses each year.”

Men and boys are looking up to the fitness centres to utilise free time to shed those extra pounds and look more appealing in shape. Apart from this, indoor and outdoor sports are other engaging options available for the boys and girls. The sports associations in the city are organising crash courses in cricket, skating, swimming, basketball, tennis and badminton. The indoor games like chess and snookers are also among the favorites of the youth and children.

Earlier, it was only KBN College that offered these vocational training to women with a certificate that helps them eke a living out of what they acquired. Of late, the Siddhartha Academy’s institutions have joined the institutes which impart training to women. For enthusiastic women who cannot make it to Kothapet all the way, courses being held at Mahila Kalasala and Arts and Science College are beneficial.