Mangaluru (The Hindu): Competing in an all-India competition is a confidence booster for the tribal children. Keerthan and his classmate Nitin, both 15 years old, had been struggling to read and write, and this had affected their confidence. Until they took to yoga, that is.

The two children of the backward Koraga community (Scheduled Tribe) started yoga lessons in their Ashrama School in Madya village near Mangaluru and soon discovered a talent for it. Today, they are part of a 12-member team from Mangaluru, who are taking part in the three-day All-India School and College-Level Yogasana competition that is being held in Malleswaram in Bengaluru.

This is very special for the school, as it gained the dubious distinction of being among the government schools in the State to record zero results in the SSLC examinations held in March this year. “This is the first time our students are going outside the district,” said the school’s warden-cum-headmaster Vijay, who is elated over his students’ maiden performance in Bengaluru.

Integrated Tribal Development Project Officer Hemalata B.S. says they intend to train students in yoga, Bharatanatyam and Yakshagana. “While giving them academic support, we also want to give them enough scope to excel in the fields of their choice. This will help them build the confidence needed to come out of the complex because of their slow learning skills. We are seeing a definite change in behaviour and outlook of Keerthan, Nitin and the other children,” Ms. Hemalata said.

Keerthan and Nitin’s talent was spotted during the one-month yoga session conducted by yoga trainer Gopalakrishna Delampady for 145 students of the school. The two have gone on to learn advanced asanas.