Students of Silambam in Pondicherry, India. They are working very hard to reach their dream : to become Master of this weapon-based Indian martial art originating in Tamil Nadu. There are no graduations or exams, the two available states being Student or Master, you simply have to know in which one you stand. When the Master recognizes the Student has mastered the curriculum, only then he gives the red scarf to acknowledge him as a Master. Hence no "black-belt syndroms"! There is no competition either, the techniques are not learned blunted. It would injure the opponents as the hits would automatically reach their targets. There are sparring practices, however, but done on a progressive manner.