Troubled Galaxy Destroyed Dreams, chapter 790
Palash Biswas
Mobile: 919903717833
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North east is in turmoil once again.The disconnected persecuted and discriminated Humanscape, the AFSPA Zone had been connected to the rest of nation for a while, thanks to Magnificent Mary. Indians who failed to identify or at least, sympathise with Irom Sharmila on Hunger strike demanding to repeal AFSPA, were praying for Mary. Had Mary won the Gold, it would have been a blessing for the Nation beyond sports arena as the plight of manipur and North East could be reflected in a better way. It had not to be.NorthEast seems to be predestined to suffer shock waves and it proved to be another shock once again.Manipur is suffering from acute identity crisis. Even Bollywood`s greatest ever Icon Big B dubbed Mary belonging to Assam.How little do we know about Manipur and North East!It is no less contribution on Mary`s part that she introduced Manipur afresh as we had been denying the recognition despite Irom`s Tweleve Years` Hunger strike and constant resistance form Manipuri people, specifically the women. Yet another Manipuri Woman has registered manipur in our heart and mind. Should we wipe out the memory? This is the biggest question as Olympic Gold Rush comes to near end!You have to recognise Irom sharmila before you identify Mary with Blind Nationalism!Irom Sharmila Chanu (born March 14, 1972), also known as the "Iron Lady of Manipur" or "Mengoubi" ("the fair one") is a civil rights activist, political activist, and poet from the Indian state of Manipur. Since 2 November 2000, she has been on hunger strike to demand that the Indian government repeal the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA), which she blames for violence in Manipur and other parts of northeast India. Having refused food and water for more than 500 weeks, she has been called "the world's longest hunger striker".
What a disappoint!Mary Kom's win in the quarter-final did not seem in doubt from the moment she stepped into the ring.But it did not happen in the Semi Finals. Our Magnificent Mary,India's wonder girl,the diminutive Indian woman boxer who carried into the Olympic semi-finals the weight of an entire nation's expectations, five-times world champion Mary Kom gave it her best, but failed to pack a punch above her head against a taller, heavier Nicola Adams of Britain at the Olympics semifinals in the 61 kg flyweight category. Mary Kom lost 11-6.But she is at least bringing home a bronze.I could write on Mary on the day, she won quarter finals but I was hoping something greater for Mary, India, Persecuted manipur and her home Chudachandrapur. It was not to happen!Britain's Nicola Adams won a semi-finals bout of the women's flyweight boxing competition on Wednesday. Adams beat India's Chungneijang Mary Hmangte to progress to the final while Hmangte went home with a bronze.
Mary`s achievement should be jugded with aprespective from North East as violence erupted again in Assam, government today said it had kept the Army on alert to deal with any situation and talked about CBI probe into the riots, as opposition slammed it in Parliament accusing it of failing to tackle the issue.On the opening day of the monsoon session, the issue of month-long violence in Assam that has claimed 74 lives, was taken up for discussion in both House of Parliament during which the government came under sharp attack.In the Lok Sabha, government business was suspended to take up the issue through an Adjournment Motion moved by BJP leader L K Advani, which was negatived by a voice vote after a five-hour debate.
LK Advani termed the UPA-II 'illegitimate government'.
Sonia Gandhi was riled, urged her partymen to protest.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh later described it as 'disgraceful' and 'unfortunate'.
Prior to that Advani retracted it.
The scenerio in the Parliament showcases very well how important is the Magnificent mary`s Bronze!
Veteran actor Amitabh Bachhan rubbed the people of northeast the wrong way by his tweet on Mary Kom, it is another matter that he was praising her!
Mary Kom!! wins boxing bout, insured a Bronze! What a story! A Mother of two from Assam, creates moment of pride for India!!" read his Twitter message on the boxer from Manipur.
"A person of Bachhan's stature should at least brush up on geography before tweeting. What a shame that he does not where Mary comes from... How much more discrimination can Northeast get from the mainland?" asked Shillong-based rights activist Agnes Kharshiing.
"If Manipur is Assam, then probably Mumbai is Allahabad," said Imphal-based TV anchor Y Rupachandra.
Angry tweeple asked Bachchan to brush up his knowledge of northeast India.
Bachchan later apologised for his mistake on Twitter, but by that time the damage was already done. Peple just don't spare celebs, is it?
Read more at: http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/amitabh-bachchan-big-b-mary-kom-tweet/1/212297.html
Mary was born in Kangathei, Manipur. Her parents, Mangte Tonpa Kom and Mangte Akham Kom, worked in jhum fields. [5] She completed her primary education from Loktak Christian Model High School, Moirang, up to her class VI standard and attended St. Xavier School, Moirang, up to class VIII. She then moved to Adimjati High School, Imphal, for her schooling for class IX and X, but could not pass her exam. She did not want to reappear for her exams so she quit her school and gave her examination from NIOS, Imphal and graduation from Churachandpur College.Although she had a keen interest in athletics from childhood, it was the success of Dingko Singh that inspired her to become a boxer in 2000.The family speaks in KUKI dialect.
Well, i had no opportunity to visist Kangathei under Chudachandrapur district, but had been lucky enough to have visited LOKTAK and Moirang.I may understand her struggle to reach this stage.
Losing semi-finalists in Olympic boxing are awarded the bronze medal. This is India's fourth medal at the London Games, making it the highest ever medal haul for the nation.She became the first Indian women boxer to claim an Olympic medal by entering the semifinal of women`s 51 kg category defeating Maroua Rahali of Tunisia.The five-time World Champion's Olympic dream was not to be denied as she outboxed Maroua Rahali in the quarter-finals to make it to the semi-finals and ensure India another medal in London. It will India to their best-ever medal haul – four – with the prospect of a couple of medals from men's boxing and wrestling.It is also India's second boxing medal ever, following up on Vijender Singh's bronze in Beijing. Vijender is once again in the reckoning and could become India's first and only repeat individual medalist at the Olympic Games when he fights late on Monday 6 August night in the Middleweight category.
Mind you,Back in Sydney in 2000, Karnam Malleswari ensured that an Indian was on the podium when women's weightlifting made its debut at the Olympics. As women's boxing made its entry three Games later in London, 29-year-old Chungneijang Mary Kom Hmangte, better known as MC Mary Kom, has done the same.
British Adams held all the cards. A home advantage and a height and reach advantage against the 5 feet 2 inches tall Manipuri. Mary praised her opponent and said, "She was better in 1st and 2nd rounds".She lost a closely fought bout against World number 2 Nicola Adams today. The score in each round, 1-3, 1-2, 2-3, 2-3. As former boxer Poonam Beniwal, a friend of Mary's said, "Mary fought and lost like a champion." Mary Kom is also new to the 51 kg category - she used to fight in the 48 kg category earlier. But the focused 29-year-old Indian mother of twins put up a gritty fight in every round.
Now,Nicola Adams will fight her old foe Ren Cancan of China for the women's flyweight gold medal on Thursday after getting the better of the five-times world champion Mary Kom in their semi-final at ExCeL.
Results Table
Nicola Adams (Britain) beat Chungneijang Mery Hmangte (India) 11-6
Ren Cancan (China) beat Marlen Esparza (U.S.) 10-8
"Sorry, I couldn't win a Gold or Silver," said MC Mary Kom after her 6-11 loss against Britain's Nicola Adams in the semi-final of the 51-kg category event. But she clearly doesn't need to be apologetic; she has made the country proud with her valiant effort.
Hours before her semi-final bout, Mary Kom had tweeted: "Ready for my match. Thanks all for your wishes. Hope to make my country proud. Jai Hind!" She did India proud with her effort.
MC Mary Kom said she was satisfied with her effort at the London Games.
"It has been a tough journey. I carried on with the support of family and friends. I want to continue playing the game. Despite the loss today, I am satisfied with the way I performed," said Mary Kom shortly after losing 6-11 to the second seed in the 51kg class.
In her last two bouts Olympic bouts before the semi-final, she had looked unbeatable, winning both convincingly to reach the semis. She beat Karolina Michalczuk, a much taller and bigger boxer from Poland, to enter the quarterfinals. And later she won her quarter-final bout against Maroua Rahali of Tunisia by 15-6 margin.
After both fighters were roared to the ring, Kom went straight on the offensive, but the early moments were messy as the Indian sought to muscle up close and was repelled by the much bigger Adams.
The Briton's major reach advantage helped her score with a pair of left jabs, but Kom made light of the size discrepancy by landing a right hand of her own as Adams took the opening round 3-1.
Adams continued to box smartly in the second, two big right uppercuts helping her stretch her lead by a further point to 5-2 at the halfway stage, and wobbled Kom with a left in the third as the Indian was forced to be less cautious.
Adams took an 8-4 lead into the last round, and Kom admirably kept searching for a way through until the dying moments, but Adams was too clever to let her big chance slip and saw the fight out for a comprehensive 11-6 win.
However,Mary Kom celebrated her twin sons' birthday on Sunday 5 August with her maiden appearance at Olympic Games beating her Polish rival Karolina Michalczuk. On Monday, the medal was sealed as she demolished her Tunisian rival, Rahali, who had a first-round bye.
It would be a big relief for followers of the sport in Northeast, for their other woman superstar, Kunjurani Devi, a multiple medalist in women's world weightlifting championships, had finished an agonising fourth in Athens in 2004.
''It is a dream come true. It is an emotional moment for me. I know there are more fights on the way and my goal is gold. But I wanted to ensure a medal. For the past year I have been dreaming of an Olympic medal and now I am ready," said Mary Kom.
"I am thinking about one fight at a time. Now I need to get into the finals and then go for gold," added Mary, who ironically failed to get a medal at the 2012 World Championships for the first time in seven years.
"For the last three or four years, I have been training with boys taller and heavier than me. It has helped a lot. I am not really tired today, but my first round was tougher. I am getting into the groove and hopefully, will be able to deliver when it matters the most. I am eagerly looking forward to that," she added.
A mother of two, Mary Kom started her career as an athlete but later switched to boxing following the success of fellow Manipuri boxer Dingko Singh. She started her boxing career in 2000 after which there was no stopping her.
In 2001, she lost in the final and had to settle for a silver medal. In 2002, she started her domination at the AIBA World Championships where she won her first gold. She continued to dominate women's boxing till 2006 after which she took a 2-year sabbatical due to the birth of her twins. She returned with a bang in 2008 winning her 4th successive World Championship.
Her feat earned her the title of 'Magnificent Mary' from the AIBA. In 2010, she had the honour of bearing the Queen's Baton in the opening ceremony run at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in the stadium. She has also been awarded the prestigious Arjuna Award in 2004, Padma Shri Award in 2006 and the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna in 2009 for her achievements in Boxing.
In 2010, she was voted India's Sportswoman of the Year. Mary Kom also became the International Boxing Association's Ambassador for Women's Boxing in 2009.
I have almost reached my destiny: MC Mary Kom
http://www.tehelka.com/story_main53.asp?filename=Fw080812Mary.asp
It was the last evening a mother was spending with her twin boys before leaving them to 'chase her dream'. The four-year-olds Rengpa and Nainei were not happy as mummy was going away. In a candid interview to Tehelka at her Imphal home, India's boxing sensation MC Mary Kom told RK Suresh before taking off for London: "I have almost reached my destiny. My ultimate goal was to win a medal at the Olympics."
What are your expectations from the London Olympics?
I have full confidence that I will win a medal. I cannot assure that I will win a gold but I will manage to grab a bronze at the least. I have fought and defeated several top ranked players including World No. 1 Ren Cancan at the recent Asian Championship. I was a bit unfortunate at the recent World Championship in China where I lost in the quarter final to a little known English boxer because I was not familiar with the techniques of the European boxers. But now, I have been studying the techniques of European boxers with my coach Charles Atkinson and I'm sure that I will be able to beat them.
What do you consider to be your strengths and your weaknesses as a boxer?
Well, I have a solid left jab and south paw. Being an offensive boxer, my guard is a bit weak and we are working very hard on it. I have undergone intensive training at Pune for the Olympics, where we worked very hard on my game and physical fitness. Apart from the physical aspects of the game, my coach has also emphasised on strengthening my mental fitness and that's why I'm now spending some time with my family (laughs).
How do you manage your priorities as a successful boxer and a mother?
I'm very fortunate to have a husband like Onler because he made sure that no family problems affect my boxing career. He manages everything at home, including my two sons. However, it is not easy being a mother and a boxer because no matter what, the family always comes first. Even though my husband has always told me to concentrate on my boxing, the thought of my family lingers on my mind.
Have you ever thought of quitting?
I have never considered quitting from boxing because of my family. Moreover, without the support of my husband I would not have achieved what I have achieved today. I may consider retiring immediately if I win a gold medal at the London Olympics. Even if I don't win gold, I may retire from active participation but I think I will be involved in boxing for the rest of my life, which is why I have set up a boxing academy to nurture boxing talent.
Speaking about your academy, why did you opt to set up your own academy despite the presence of many such state-run facilities in Manipur?
Almost all the sporting talents from Manipur came from the poorer section of the society. In our state, many players have to give up their dreams of making it big due to lack of support from the family and the government. That is where my academy comes into play. Most of my students come from poor background so the academy bears the financial burden for their training and accommodation.
Now that you mention the burden, what about your own struggle?
Like many players in the state, I also came from a poor family. I started playing boxing nearly 12 years ago and in my initial days, I could not own a pair of boxing gloves due to lack of money. So, when I started as a national player I started saving my diet allowance to buy a pair of gloves. When I began my international career, it was an uphill task for me and my parents to even meet my travelling expenses. There was a time when my parents insisted I quit boxing due to financial stress.
Did you ever think of quitting due to financial pressure?
No, I never thought of quitting because my belief in my own potential was so strong that the thought of quitting itself was an embarrassment to my ego. Moreover, I always felt that god had shown me my destiny even before I took up boxing as a career.
Do you think that you have reached your destiny?
I think I have almost reached my destiny because my ultimate goal is to win a medal at the Olympics. So in that sense, I'm almost there.
RK Suresh is a freelancer based in Imphal
letters@tehelka.com
Two dads, bound by a big game
At Kom home: 'That's my girl'
KHELEN THOKCHOM
Kangathei Kom (Manipur), Aug. 7: Boxing or cropping, nothing comes easy.
Mangte Tonpa Kom spent half a day out in the family's half-hectare field planting paddy before he headed back home in the midday heat.
A day before daughter Mary slips through the ropes into the ring for her Olympic semi-final match, that was time well spent.
Unavoidable, too, to feed a family of six.
"Our lives have got a little better with Mary's success but it's still not good. Life's still a very hard slog," Kom Senior says, his lean shirtless body glistening in the light.
"Better" means the placement of the five-time world champion with Manipur police, ranked as a deputy superintendent.
"I just got back from the fields," Kom Senior says, seated on a mora, the bamboo stool that is a familiar fixture in homes in the Northeast.
Years of battling the elements have perhaps made 53-year-old Kom Senior sturdier, at least so says the picture he presents of a calm and composed father who has learnt to beat the odds and keep going.
Times have been good since last evening, though. The folks of Kangathei Kom, a village 45km from Imphal and located in Churachandpur district, have poured in steadily, hugging Mary's family, congratulating them, wishing them the best.
Mary began her boxing career from here but now stays with her husband in a village in Imphal West district.
Mary's mother Mangte Akham and husband Onlar are in London to cheer her while the rest will watch from home, courtesy a Tata Sky dish perched on the roof of their mud-floored house.
Mary's only brother M. Khupgreng receives calls on a cellphone while his wife serves guests water and tea.
Ask Kom Senior about Mary and his face lights up. "Never say die. That's her motto. That's my girl and she has got it from me," he says, pride brimming over.
"Being my eldest, Mary has helped me with everything. She can cook, clean, swab, plough the field and chop firewood."
Kom Senior himself was a celebrated mukna player when he was young, a man to be feared for his grapple in the traditional Manipur-style wrestling. He also learnt kung-fu, "all of which Mary witnessed".
"Mary, you know, has been a tomboy. When she was a child, she wanted a pair of denims. That was a no-no, only girls in Imphal wore those then. But she insisted and wanted it in place of a pair of gold earrings I offered," says Kom Senior.
"So we had a deal — that she wouldn't wear them too often. So she wore her denims only during Christmas. She was only four then. That girl won't take no for an answer."
The Koms and the 130 other Koms in Kangathei Kom have been praying that their Mary wins against "the Nicola Adams lady" tomorrow in London.
What about Adams's height, three inches more than Mary's? Well, wasn't there Tunisia's Maroua Rahali, a whole four inches taller than Mary? Mary beat her all right.
On the way back, down the only bumpy road from Kangathei Kom, a reminder from the Kom household lingers: sister Shinglenei, four years younger, is definitely taller than Mary.
Mary's headstart begins here, at her home.
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120808/jsp/frontpage/story_15828742.jsp#.UCJ1QKBmm9s
Irom Chanu Sharmila
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Irom Sharmila Chanu | |
 * | |
| Born | 14 March 1972 (age 40) Kongpal, Imphal, Manipur, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Occupation | Civil rights activist, Political activist, Poet |
| Known for | hunger strike against Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 |
| Parents | Irom c Nanda (father) Irom Ongbi Sakhi (mother) |
Irom Sharmila Chanu (born March 14, 1972), also known as the "Iron Lady of Manipur" or "Mengoubi" ("the fair one")[1] is a civil rights activist, political activist, and poet from the Indian state of Manipur. Since 2 November 2000, she has been on hunger strike to demand that the Indian government repeal the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA), which she blames for violence in Manipur and other parts of northeast India.[2] Having refused food and water for more than 500 weeks, she has been called "the world's longest hunger striker".[3]
Contents |
Decision to fast
On November 2, 2000, in Malom, a town in the Imphal Valley of Manipur, ten civilians were allegedly shot and killed by the Assam Rifles, one of the Indian Paramilitary forces operating in the state, while waiting at a bus stop.[4][5] The incident later came to be known to activists as the "Malom Massacre".[6] The next day's local newspapers published graphic pictures of the dead bodies, including one of a 62-year old woman, Leisangbam Ibetomi, and 18-year old Sinam Chandramani, a 1988 National Child Bravery Award winner.[5]Sharmila, the 28-year-old daughter of a Grade IV veterinary worker, began to fast in protest of the killings, taking neither food nor water.[7] As her brother Irom Singhajit Singh recalled, "The killings took place on 2 November 2000. It was a Thursday. Sharmila used to fast on Thursdays since she was a child. That day she was fasting too. She has just continued with her fast". 4 November is also given as the start day of her fast. On the Friday third of November she had her last supper of pastries and sweets then touched her mother's feet and asked permission to fulfill her bounden duty.[8] Her primary demand to the Indian government was the repeal of the AFSPA, which allowed soldiers to indefinitely detain any citizen on suspicion of being a rebel.[4] The act has been blamed by opposition and human rights groups for permitting torture, forced disappearances, and extrajudicial executions.[4][7]
Three days after she began her strike, she was arrested by the police and charged with an "attempt to commit suicide", which is unlawful under section 309 of the Indian Penal Code, and was later transferred to judicial custody.[8] Her health deteriorated rapidly, and the police then forcibly had to use nasogastric intubation in order to keep her alive while under arrest.[3] Since then, Irom Sharmila has been regularly released and re-arrested every year since under IPC section 309, a person who "attempts to commit suicide" is punishable "with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year [or with fine, or with both]".[8][9]
Continued activism
By 2004, Sharmila had become an "icon of public resistance".[4] Following her procedural release On 2 October 2006, for around four months, Irom Sharmila Chanu went to Raj Ghat, New Delhi, which she said was "to pay floral tribute to my idol, Mahatma Gandhi." Later that evening, Sharmila headed for Jantar Mantar for a protest demonstration where she was joined by students, human rights activists and other concerned citizens.[7] On 6 October, she was re-arrested by the Delhi police for attempting suicide and was taken to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, where she wrote letters to the Prime Minister, President, and Home Minister.[7] At this time, she met and won the support of Nobel-laureate Shirin Ebadi, the Nobel Laureate and human rights activist, who promised to take up Sharmila's cause at the United Nations Human Rights Council.[7]Politically the Janata Dal minority opposition party has publicly agreed to campaign for AF(SP)A repeal during the monsoon session of the Indian Parliament. Within Cabinet Dr Singh the PM has publicly asked for a reform of AF(SP)A to make it more humane. Sr V Moilly who also chaired the second administrative reforms committee one of whose recommendations was the repeal of AF(SP)A also supports change. As do the Home Secretary Sri Pillai and the Home Union Minister Sri Chidambaram. Though Sri Pillai has asked for local CMs not to apply for disturbed area status and therefore AF(SP)A whether on the books or not would cease to apply. Mr A K Antony the defence minister and General Singh commander in chief of the Indian Armed Forces lead the opposition to change or repeal of AF(SP)ATo this end Sharmila's spokesman has requested Manipuris to vote for MLAs who pledge to lift disturbed area status from Manipur and not to seek it again until or unless AF(SP)A is repealed. The Manipur State Assembly elections of 2012 resulted in a landslide victory for the SPF Ibobi Singh regime who want retention of AFSPA, they were assisted by the defection of 11 opposition MLAs including R K Anand the managing trustee of JPF.
On 23 August 2011, Sharmila was involved in the wave of Anti-corruption movement on invitation by Anna Hazare via letter.[10][11] Following Mr Hazare's promise to visit Imphal and support Sharmila there he announced in an interview with NDTV on September 13 that he would be sending two representatives to meet with Sharmila soon to prepare for the meeting [12] Trinamool Congress have reiterated their support for her.[13] The Communist Party of India (CPI ML) has also reiterated their support for her and for repeal of AF(SP)A.[14] Neither group has responded to a request to make the moral support effective by pledging to denotify Disturbed Area Status from all of Manipur. Sharmila has been allowed to have her own words reported first urging Dr Singh to reaffirm his pledge to do something about the inhumanity of the AF(SP)A [15] Also in that report conveyed via a University Chancellor and former IAS officer she urges the CM to allow visitors especially when they come from distant lands. In Assam many NGOs have come out supporting her and urging for repeal of AF(SP)A [16] The ToI appears to have replaced the Calcutta Telegraph as the mainland paper to break Manipuri news to the world. This year 2011 the Christian Church has also become active in supporting Sharmila and agitating against AF(SP)A. The NCCI which represents Protestant and Orthodox Christians (30 million of the 1.3 billion Indians but also the hill tribals of Manipur Nagas and Kuki Chin Federation about 40% of the population of Manipur) made their first unequivocal statement on this issue in November [17] The Roman Catholic Archbishop of Guwahati HG Thomas Menamparampil also spoke out in defence of Sharmila.[18] Although he has few in his flock he has for some time been active in political agitation for peace in the area. Sharmila's spokesman has appealed to both sources directly for more effective support. Student Christians less effectively also offer moral support and prayer [19] On 18 November 2011 H Premkrishna Esq presented a paper on Sharmila to the Indian Association of Lawyers who passed a resolution seeking the abolition of AF(SP)A [20] Regrettably there is still no Indian Lawyer willing to take High Court action to overturn the blanket ban on visitors imposed illegally upon Sharmila we are still actively searching for one. In similar vein in December the National Human Rights Council in its second universal periodic review of human rights in India again requested the Government to repeal AF(SP)A so that it can conform with its treaty rights under international law.[21] Although formed by the Government following the Paris protocols with the Prime Minister and Chief Justice as ex officio members it has no authority to compel the Government to conform with its treaty obligations under international law it may only advise the government when they are in breach of international law.[22] The advice was echoed by the working group on human rights in India and the UN [23] The working group also has no authority to compel the Indian Government to observe its treaty obligations under international law, they merely present the report to the UN which the Indian Government has been petitioning for a permanent place on its Security Council the body set up to supervise treaty obligations. India has deferred its response till a full meeting of the UNHRC in September.
Following these statements the banned UG (insurgency) outfit the Maoists Communist Party Manipur also issued a statement of support for Sharmila though one suspects this is another example of Manipuris infamous sense of humour.[24] And finally a film on the lighter side of Sharmila the poetess won the award for best documentary at the 2nd Siliguri International Short and Documentary film festival 23 November 2011 [25] Pune University has announced a scholarship program for 39 Manipuri women students to take degree courses commencing academic year 2012/2013 in honour of Irom Sharmila Chanu's 39 years.[26] These two reports are about Indian modern artists in a typically Indian bureacratic attack on Indian bureacracy [27][28] Unfortunately neither media report carries any images of the artwork. This latter sums up the recent interest in Sharmila from mainland India. It started as a Facebook social with dozens of Facebook pages taking up the name of Irom Sharmila Chanu and then fading away. Six months ago visitors to this page were lucky to make double figures, in September after the bruhaha (references deleted by wiki editors) it had risen to thousands. Now it has settled back to hundreds. It took an adrenaline rush from Anna Hazare's mercurial success in the late summer also. These campaigns in the long run may weaken the Indian Army's resolve to maintain its low impact civil war on the buffer states of Mother Bharat. But often campaigns like these marches art attacks are blowing off steam so that the middle classes can feel they have done their duty and may return to their real lives. Politicians may feel statesmenlike as they stand true to their longer term objectives despite the slings and arrows of fickle public protest. The reason they put a stop to them at all is their lack of humility, of being grounded in reality, they can't stand being laughed at. What remains is for the Manipuri people to assert their democratic rights and remove AF(SP)A from Manipur by denotifying Disturbed Area Status come the next elections or not.
In her most recent communique (11 June 2012 Sharmila gave her spokesman trigger free status to respond to Manipuri press disinformation. She had previously asked for restraint to prevent her effigy being burnt in the street and her peaceful struggle (violent as any struggle is) be ruined. But as they burn her image with newspaper her objections to responding are lifted let my voice go. It remains the opinion of this spokesman that the gathering storm against Sharmila parallels the treatment of Suu Kyi over the border. The press and other negative releases stem from Government psycophants and police front organizations. A book will be released by them as part of this new policy.
The response requested again from Manipuris is to attend in person the Lamphel fortnightly habeas corpus hearing regardless of harassment it will bring upon you from the police and their front organizations, there are no genuine human rights organizations in Imphal. 19 June 3 July and thence every 14 days but by all means check one does not wish to inconvenience unnecessarily. And for Manipuris and all people of goodwill write to her asking her to stand for the 2014 elections. Whether this communique is deleted or not it makes no difference. People act out of fear or apathy not because of overzealous wiki editors. Nothing new is being asked. She has no open support in Manipur and very little outside. Change it by one.
International attention
Sharmila was nominated to the 2005 Nobel Peace Prize by a Guwahati-based woman's organization, the North East Network.[29]She was awarded the 2007 Gwangju Prize for Human Rights, which is given to "an outstanding person or group, active in the promotion and advocacy of Peace, Democracy and Human Rights".[30] She shared the award with Lenin Raghuvanshi of People's Vigilance Committee on Human Rights, a northeastern Indian human rights organization.[30] In Addition the largest monetary prize the first Rabindranath Tagore Peace Prize was given to her in 2010 by the New Delhi IIPM.[31] She was awarded the Sarva Gunah Sampannah '" Award for Peace and Harmony" [32] aka the 12th Signature Women of Substance award (Assam) also in 2010.[33] 2009 she was awarded the first Mayillama Award (Kerala).[34] And in 2010 in the presence of the Law Minister Sri V Moilly in Bangalore she was awarded in absentia a lifetime achievement award.[35] She was most recently awarded an Adivasi Ratna award accepted by her brother.[36]
She has some support in Europe and a request for letters to be sent to her within Manipur. The letters were presented to her in the form of a printed personalized slam book titled "Echel for Eche" a Pan Manipur initiative on 11 October 2011. An effective end to the satyagraha can come next year if Manipuris convert their symbolic and moral support to votes for MLAs who pledge to lift the disturbed area status from the whole of Manipur.
In Turkey 8–11 December 2010 The Which Human Rights Festival organized by the Turkish Human Rights Group the Documentarist was dedicated to Irom Sharmila [37]
The controversial BJP politician Varun Gandhi, also a descendant of the Pandit-Nehru lineage, recently used the social media tool Twitter to announce his support of her [38] She has written a lot of poetry most recently a 12 poem bilingual anthology (Meiteilol and English), "Fragrance of Peace" (Nungsigi Leinam), was released by Zubaan books to coincide with the tenth year of her detention,[39] with profits used to support her cause. This appears to have been a project first suggested by Norwegian designer Mr Lars Muller, who was appointed in December 2007 by the World Organization against Torture OMCT as her 'Defending the Defenders' sponsor.[40][41] The JPF have appealed to the current SAARC conference [42] in the Maldives on behalf of Sharmila while its founder presented at the People's SAARC in Kerala [43]
Works on her life
Deepti Priya Mehrotra's Burning Bright: Irom Sharmila and the Struggle for Peace in Manipur details Sharmila's life and the political background of her fast.[44]Kavita Joshi's short documentary My Body My Weapon (released by Why Democracy? in 2007) alleges violations by security forces that fuel Sharmila's resolve to keep fasting until AFSPA is repealed.[45] Tales from the Margins, a twin project of the above film, also focuses on Sharmila, locating her resistance in the larger context of women's protests against the AFSPA in Manipur.
Ojas S V, a theatre artist from Pune has been performing a mono-play titled Le Mashale (Take the torch), based on Irom Sharmila's life and struggle at several places in India. It is an adaptation of Meira Paibi (Women bearing torches), a drama written by Malayalam playwright Civic Chandran.[46][47]
On August 21, 2011, Indian author and activist Arundhati Roy, in her The Hindu editorial on Anna Hazare, contrasted Anna's media-publicized fast with the decade-long fast of Irom, including the motivations for both.[48]
References
- ^ Rituparna Chatterjee (20 April 2011). "Spot the Difference: Hazare vs. Irom Sharmila". Sinlung. Retrieved 30 April 2011.
- ^ "Manipur Fasting Woman Re-arrested". BBC News. 9 March 2009. Retrieved 8 May 2011.
- ^ a b Andrew Buncombe (4 November 2010). "A decade of starvation for Irom Sharmila". London: The Independent. Retrieved 8 May 2011.
- ^ a b c d Nilanjana S. Roy (8 February 2011). "Torchbearers for Victims in a Violent Land". New York Times. Retrieved 8 May 2011.
- ^ a b Rahul Pathak (6 August 2004). "Why Malom is a big reason for Manipur anger against Army Act". IndianExpress.com. Retrieved 8 May 2011.
- ^ Malom Massacre
- ^ a b c d e Shoma Chaudhury (5 December 2009). "Irom And The Iron In India's Soul". Tehelka. Retrieved 8 May 2011.
- ^ a b c "Manipur fasting woman re-arrested". BBC News. 9 March 2009. Retrieved 8 May 2011.
- ^ Section 309 in The Indian Penal Code, 1860
- ^ [1]
- ^ Subramaniam, Vidya (28 August 2011). "Irom Sharmila urges Anna to visit Manipur". The Hindu (Chennai, India).
- ^ http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/highlights-of-anna-hazare-s-interview-to-ndtv-133365
- ^ "Mamata's help sought for raising voice against AFSPA". The Times Of India. 17 October 2011.
- ^ http://kanglaonline.com/2011/09/cpi-ml-to-show-solidarity-to-sharmila-with-nationwide-agitation/
- ^ "PM should realize I am struggling for people: Irom". The Times Of India. 4 November 2011.
- ^ "Civil society groups in state back Irom's cause". The Times Of India. 3 November 2011.
- ^ http://www.cathnewsindia.com/2011/11/09/ncci-demands-repeal-of-draconian-law/
- ^ http://www.cathnewsindia.com/2011/09/07/christians-back-hunger-striker-campaign/
- ^ http://e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=news_section.Press_Release.Press_Release_2011.11_years_of_Fasting_the_plea_unheard_the_struggle_uncovered_Justice_at_Cross-roads_20111102
- ^ http://e-pao.net/GP.asp?src=5..191111.nov11
- ^ http://e-pao.net/GP.asp?src=3..061211.dec11
- ^ http://www.southasianrights.org/?p=4862
- ^ http://e-pao.net/GP.asp?src=2..091211.dec11
- ^ http://e-pao.net/GP.asp?src=26..091211.dec11
- ^ http://e-pao.net/GP.asp?src=24..241111.nov11
- ^ "Scholarship for Manipuri girl students in Sharmila's honour". The Times Of India. 10 December 2011.
- ^ http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/the-force-of-art/886614/
- ^ http://www.mumbaimirror.com/article/3/2011121120111211130008924a506ecfb/%E2%80%98World-looks-up-to-her-not-our-govt%E2%80%99.html
- ^ "Irom Sharmila: A potent revolutionary fights the unacceptable". headlinesindia.com. 6 March 2011. Retrieved 8 May 2011.
- ^ a b "Gwangju Prize for Human Rights". May 18 Memorial Foundation. Retrieved 24 April 2011.
- ^ Irom Sharmila awarded Rabindranath Tagore peace award - India - DNA
- ^ [2]
- ^ The Sentinel
- ^ The Assam Tribune Online
- ^ INDIA: Human rights defender awarded for lifetime achievement — Asian Human Rights Commission
- ^ Irom Chanu Sharmila Gets Adivasi Ratna Award — manipurhub.com
- ^ [3]
- ^ [4]
- ^ Zubaan Books: Books
- ^ [5]
- ^ "Actions realised within the framework of the sponsorship project". In the OMCT website third paragraph for actions realized within 2009 it states that the project of publication of 12 poems through the collaboration of her Norwegian sponsor Mr Lars Muller could not be realized due to problems with the Indian Partner. World Organization against Torture OMCT. Retrieved 27 August 2011.
- ^ http://ifp.co.in/imphal-free-press-full-story.php?newsid=2839&catid=1
- ^ http://expressbuzz.com/cities/thiruvananthapuram/social-groups-come-together-for-people%E2%80%99s-saarc/331470.html.
- ^ Penguin Review, Burning Bright
- ^ Iron Lady Of Manipur- The Worlds Longest Hunger Striker
- ^ The Hindu, For a Noble cause
- ^ Times of India, Single act that captures a dozen wounds of Manipur
- ^ Arundhati Roy (21 August 2011). "I'd rather not be Anna". In regards to Anna's anti-corruption activism, now known across the sub-continent as "The Fast", Roy reminded readers: "'The Fast', of course, doesn't mean Irom Sharmila's fast that has lasted for more than ten years (she's being force fed now) against the AFSPA, which allows soldiers in Manipur to kill merely on suspicion". (Chennai, India: The Hindu). Retrieved 27 August 2011.
Mary Kom
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M C Mary Kom | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| * Mary Kom speaking at the British High Commission in Delhi, 2011 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Statistics | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rated at | 51 kg (110 lb) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.58 m (5 ft 2 in) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nationality | * India | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 1 March 1983 (age 29) Kangathei, Manipur, India | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record[hide]
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Mangte Chungneijang Mary Kom, (born 1 March 1983 in Manipur), also known as MC Mary Kom, Magnificent Mary or simply Mary Kom, is an Indian boxer.[1] She is a five-time World Boxing champion, and the only woman boxer to have won a medal in each one of the six world championships.[2] She is the only Indian woman boxer to have qualified for the 2012 Summer Olympics, competing in the flyweight (51kg) category and won the bronze medal. [3]. She has also been ranked as No. 4 AIBA World Women's Ranking Flyweight category [4]
Contents |
Early life and family
Mary was born in Kangathei, Manipur. Her parents, Mangte Tonpa Kom and Mangte Akham Kom, worked in jhum fields. [5] She completed her primary education from Loktak Christian Model High School, Moirang, up to her class VI standard and attended St. Xavier School, Moirang, up to class VIII. She then moved to Adimjati High School, Imphal, for her schooling for class IX and X, but could not pass her exam. She did not want to reappear for her exams so she quit her school and gave her examination from NIOS, Imphal and graduation from Churachandpur College.[1] Although she had a keen interest in athletics from childhood, it was the success of Dingko Singh that inspired her to become a boxer in 2000.[6]She is married to K Onler Kom and has twin sons, Rechungvar and Khupneivar.[7][8]
Early career
Kom initially tried to hide her interest in boxing from her family, since it was not considered a suitable sport for a woman. However, after her victory in the Manipur state women's boxing championship in 2000, her career became public; her father discovered his daughter's achievement through a photograph in a newspaper. After winning the regional championship in West Bengal, Kom began competing at the international level at the age of 18, only a year after she started boxing. Her international debut was at the first AIBA Women's World Boxing Championship in the United States, where she won a silver medal in the 48 kg weight category. She followed this with a gold medal in the 45 kg class at the second AIBA Women's World Boxing Championship in Turkey in 2002.[6]In 2003, Kom won a gold medal in the 46 kg class - she would compete in this class for the next three years - at the Asian Women's Boxing Championship in India, and was awarded the national Arjuna Award for outstanding sporting achievement. In 2004, she won gold at the Women's Boxing World Cup in Norway, and in 2005 again won gold at the Asian Women's Boxing Championship in Taiwan and the AIBA Women's World Boxing Championship in Russia. The following year, she won gold at the Venus Women's Box Cup in Denmark and the AIBA Women's World Boxing Championship in India. Her victory in the World Championship was marred by illness; the final had to be suspended in the second round, with Kom leading 19-4.[6]
Return to boxing
After a two-year break, she won a silver medal at the 2008 Asian Women's Boxing Championship in India[9] and a fourth successive gold medal at the AIBA Women's World Boxing Championship in China,[10] followed by a gold medal at the 2009 Asian Indoor Games in Vietnam.[citation needed][9]In 2010, Kom won the gold medal at the Asian Women's Boxing Championship in Kazakhstan,[9] and at the AIBA Women's World Boxing Championship in Barbados, her fifth consecutive gold at the championship. She competed in Barbados in the 48 kg weight class, after AIBA had stopped using the 46 kg class.[11] In the 2010 Asian Games, she competed in the 51 kg class - the lowest in the contest - and won a bronze medal.[citation needed] In 2011, she won gold in thr 48 kg class at the Asian Women's Cup in China,[citation needed] and in 2012 took the gold medal in the 51 kg class at the Asian Women's Boxing Championship in Mongolia.[citation needed]
On 3 October 2010, she, along with Vijender Singh, had the honour of bearing the Queen's Baton in its opening ceremony run in the stadium for the 2010 Commonwealth Games of Delhi.[12][13] She did not compete, however, as women's boxing was not included in the Commonwealth Games.
Olympic Games
Main article: Boxing at the 2012 Summer Olympics – Women's flyweightMary, a five-time world champion, has won several medals in the 46 and 48kg categories but never in the 51kg section. She was forced to shift to this category and gain weight two years ago after the world body decided to allow women's boxing in only three weight categories—the lowest one being 51kg.
At the 2012 AIBA Women's World Boxing Championship, Kom was competing not just for the championship itself but also for a place at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, the first time women's boxing had featured as an Olympic sport. She was defeated in the 51 kg quarter-finals by Nicola Adams of the UK, making this the first year since the championship began that Kom did not win a medal, but did succeed in getting a place for the Olympics. She was the only Indian woman to qualify, with Laishram Sarita Devi narrowly missing a place in the 60 kg class.[14]
Kom was accompanied to London by her mother.[15] Kom's coach Charles Atkinson will not join her at the Olympic Village as he doesn't possess an International Boxing Association (AIBA) 3 Star Certification, which is mandatory for accreditation.[16]
The first Olympic round was held on 5 August 2012, with Kom defeating Karolina Michalczuk of Poland 19-14 in the third women's boxing match ever to be fought at the Olympics.[17][18] In the quarter-final, the following day, she defeated Maroua Rahali of Tunisia with a score of 15-6.[19] She faced Nicola Adams of UK in the semi-final on August 8, 2012 and lost the bout 6 points to 11. However, she stood third in the competition and garnered her first olympic Bronze medal.[20][21]
Achievements
| Year | Place | Weight | Competition | Location |
| 2001 | Second | 48 | Women's World Amateur Boxing Championships | * Scranton, Pennsylvania, USA |
| 2002 | First | 45 | Women's World Amateur Boxing Championships | * Antalya, Turkey |
| 2002 | First | 45 | Witch Cup | * Pécs, Hungary |
| 2003 | First | 46 | Asian Women's Championships | * Hisar, India |
| 2004 | First | 46 | Women's World Cup | * Tønsberg, Norway |
| 2005 | First | 46 | Asian Women's Championships | * Kaohsiung, Taiwan |
| 2005 | First | 46 | Women's World Amateur Boxing Championships | * Podolsk, Russia |
| 2006 | First | 46 | Women's World Amateur Boxing Championships | * New Delhi, India |
| 2006 | First | 46 | Venus Women's Box Cup | * Vejle, Denmark |
| 2008 | First | 46 | Women's World Amateur Boxing Championships | * Ningbo, China |
| 2008 | Second | 46 | Asian Women's Championships | * Guwahati, India |
| 2009 | First | 46 | Asian Indoor Games | * Hanoi, Vietnam |
| 2010 | First | 48 | Women's World Amateur Boxing Championships | * Bridgetown, Barbados |
| 2010 | First | 46 | Asian Women's Championships | * Astana, Kazakhstan |
| 2010 | Third | 51 | Asian Games | * Guangzhou, China |
| 2011 | First | 48 | Asian Women's Cup | * Haikou, China |
| 2012 | First | 51 | Asian Women's Championships | * Ulan Bator, Mongolia |
| 2012 | Third | 51 | Summer Olympics | * London, United Kingdom |
National
- Gold – 1st Women Nat. Boxing Championship, Chennai 6–12.2.2001
- The East Open Boxing Champ, Bengal 11–14.12.2001
- 2nd Sr World Women Boxing Championship, New Delhi 26–30.12.2001
- National Women Sort Meet, N. Delhi 26–30.12.2001
- 32nd National Games, Hyderabad 2002
- 3rd Sr World Women Boxing Champ, Aizawl 4–8.3.2003
- 4th Sr WWBC, Kokrajar, Assam 24–28.2.2004
- 5th Sr WWBC, Kerala 26–30.12.2004
- 6th Sr WWBC, Jamshedpur 29 Nov-3.12.2005
- 10th WNBC, Jamshedpur lost QF by 1–4 on 5.10.2009
Awards and recognitions
- Arjuna Award (Boxing), 2003
- Padma Shree (Sports), 2006
- Contender for Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, 2007
- People of the Year- Limca Book of Records, 2007
- CNN-IBN & Reliance Industries' Real Heroes Award 14.4. 2008 Mon
- Pepsi MTV Youth Icon 2008
- 'Magnificent Mary', AIBA 2008
- Felicitation by Zomi Students' Federation (ZSF) at New Lamka YPA Hall in 2008
- Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award, 2009[23][24]
- International Boxing Association's Ambassador for Women's Boxing 2009 (TSE 30.7.2009 Thur)[25][26]
- Sportswoman of the year 2010, Sahara Sports Award[27]
References
- ^ a b Chitra Garg (2010). Indian Champions: Profiles Of Famous Indian Sportspersons. Rajpal & Sons. pp. 93–. ISBN 978-81-7028-852-7. Retrieved 29 June 2012.
- ^ I see India. "Magnificent Mary". On Mary Kom. I see India. Retrieved 7 June 2012.
- ^ "Olympics: Mary Kom loses SF 6-11, wins bronze". IBN Live. Retrieved 8 Aug 2012.
- ^ "AIBA World Women's Ranking". AIBA. Retrieved 5 June 2012.
- ^ "NE India:Indigenous Women dream to win World Boxing Champion 2012".
- ^ a b c Williams, Dee (6 February 2008). "Mary Kom". (WBAN) Women Boxing Archive Network. Retrieved 8 May 2010.
- ^ Kumar, Priyanka (8 March 2012). "MC Mary Kom: Boxer, mother, icon". IBN Live. Retrieved 2 June 2012.
- ^ "For Mary Kom, life comes second to Olympic dream". First Post. 23 May 2012. Retrieved 2 June 2012.
- ^ a b c E-Pao. "Mangte Chungneijang Mary Kom :: Manipur Olympic Dreams 2012 London". About Mary Kom. E-Pao. Retrieved 6 August 2012.
- ^ Mary makes women's boxing's Olympic case stronger: AIBA President
- ^ Laxmi Negi (19-09-2010). "Mary Kom wins fifth successive World Boxing Championship gold". The Times of India.
- ^ World News. "Mc Mary Kom Aiba Women's World Boxing Championship". About Mary Kom. World News. Retrieved 7 June 2012.
- ^ "Baton for Commonwealth Games to enter India today". The Times of India. 25 June 2010. Retrieved 21 May 2012.
- ^ Times of India (18 May 2012). "Mary Kom qualifies for London Olympics". Times of India. Retrieved 7 June 2012.
- ^ "London calling for Mary Kom's mom too". 20 July 2012.
- ^ "Mary Kom's American coach not to be with her at Olympics". Retrieved 02-08-2012.
- ^ AIBA (5 August 2012). "Women make history". Retrieved 5 August 2012.
- ^ "Mary Kom proud to win on historic day". The Times of India. 5 August 2012. Retrieved 5 August 2012.
- ^ "Mary Kom storms into semis, assures India of a medal". The Hindustan Times. 6 August 2012. Retrieved 6 August 2012.
- ^ http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/et-cetera/mary-kom-attempts-to-create-history-in-olympics-boxing-by-reaching-final/articleshow/15405429.cms
- ^ http://sports.ndtv.com/olympics-2012/news/item/194900-thank-you-mary-kom-a-for-effort-b-for-bronze
- ^ "AIBA Women's World Boxing Championships Qinhuangdao 2012 Athletes Biographies". International Boxing Association. Retrieved 3 June 2012.
- ^ "President Pratibha Patil presents Khel Ratna, Arjuna awards". Hindustan Times. 29 August 2009. Retrieved 2 June 2012.
- ^ "Mary Kom, Vijender and Sushil get Khel Ratna". Chennai, India: The Hindu. 2009-07-29. Retrieved 2010-05-08.
- ^ Manipur Express, 31.6.2006 Sat, Ed. L. Chinkhanlian, Lamka; The Sangai Express, 19.4.2008, Imphal
- ^ Zamzachin, Dr. G. (2009-11-03). "MARY KOM MC (Mangte Chungneijang)". Zogam.Com. Retrieved 2010-05-08.
- ^ "Sahara Sports Awards: Sushil Kumar, Mary Kom get top honours". October 31, 2010.
- Buncombe, Andrew (7 May 2010). "India's school of hard knocks". The Independent (London). Retrieved 8 May 2010.
- Rahul Bhattacharya (July/August 2012). "India's shot at gold".
External links
- Mary Kom – Official Website
- Mary Kom – Biography
- Olympics London 2012
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Kom
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