KOTTAYAM: Coconut climbing is no more a taboo for women. A women’s college here is not only imparting training to its students about climbing a coconut tree but also launching a certificate course.The Bishop Kurialachery (BK) College for Women in Amalagiri will be formally launching the course soon.The add-on course will be of 30 hours duration and students who choose the course will be taught about coconut climbing using machines along with theory classes on preserving and taking care of coconut trees, said Leena Mathew, principal of the college.The coconut-climbing course is being launched with the help of the National Service Scheme (NSS) unit in the college. “We are launching the course as part of women empowerment and for increasing their confidence,” said Diya Philip, an assistant professor in the economics department who is also the programme officer of the NSS in the college.The institution has already launched pilot project of the course and is hoping that around 100 students will successfully complete training after the course is formally launched in November.“The course will also be added to the syllabus and the college will be issuing certificates to those who successfully complete the course,” said Leena Mathew. The students will be selected for the course after a screening by the NSS. Physical fitness will be considered for selection, said Philip.The college mooted the idea of launching such a course as the state has been facing a severe shortage of coconut climbers. Even in rural areas it has been difficult to find climbers. The state has also started depending on migrant workers for plucking coconuts from the tree.“We also observ that women of Kudumubashree members used to climb coconut trees,” said Philip.“So, we thought of launching a certificate course which will be make the students independent,” she added. She also said many tourists have been seeking demonstration of coconut tree climbing.The college, which started functioning in the year 1965, is affiliated to the Mahatma Gandhi University and was upgraded in 1980. The National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) has awarded A grade for the college and has specially complimented it for efforts in the field of women’s education.

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