Imphal, Aug 23 : M C Mary Kom, the boxing sensation from Manipur, has appealed for a restoration of peace in Manipur, saying instability has come in the way of development and progress in the state.
Time and again, the people in Manipur have taken to the streets to protest against militant activities like bomb blasts, killings and extortions.
Frequent strikes and shut downs have adversely affected normal life in the state.
"When we go out to play, we hear lot of bad news like killing, kidnapping, bomb blast in different places, so we always have mental disturbances and cannot do training peacefully. We cannot concentrate on our preparation for competitions," said Mary Kom.
The five-time world-boxing champion was born on March 1, 1983 in a poor family, and believes that it is easy to run away from problems, but it takes a true champion to fight against all odds.
She began boxing in Class 8 and won her first boxing title in December 2000. She then went on to win her first world boxing title at USA in 2001.
Two decades ago it was impossible to believe that any one from Manipur could win a world champion title, not because there was dearth of talent, but because instability caused by militancy prevented the youth from realizing their potential.
"I want to give a message that we want peace in Manipur. If there is peace in Manipur, then we can focus on our field," said Mary Kom.
She says that Manipur has no dearth of talent. This was visible at the Commonwealth Games 2010 where athletes like Sandhya Rani, Renubala Chanu and Monica Devi from Manipur won laurels for the country.
"Young sportspersons from the region are coming up. There are even world champions among the youth, not only in Manipur, but in other northeast states also. If these youth are trained properly, then I am sure, they can achieve laurels at all levels," she said.
For years people in the Manipur has been reeling under the dark shadows of militant activities that have delayed the development of the region. And, it is the success stories of Mary Kom and others that have inspired people and given them hope. It is time to listen to them and their message about restoration of peace and normalcy in the state.
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