Mary Kom distributes rice to 168 widows
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, October 02 2011:
Boxing is not everything for five times world champion pugilist MC Mary Kom.
In her day out with her husband Onler Kom at her native Kangathei Kom Village in Manipur's Churachandpur district, 65 km south of here; she distributed 10 kilograms of rice each to 168 widows of 30 villages on Friday.
"They were given rice as these women are the most sufferer due to economic blockade in Manipur", writes the world champion in her facebook wall.
The blockade of two crucial highways- National Highways 39 and 53 which began on July 31 by the Sadar Hills Districthood Demand Committee, spearheaded by the Kuki tribe in Manipur to press for their demand of creating a separate Sadar Hills district, entered its 62nd day on Saturday, making prices of essential items shoot through the roof.
"We know the present situation in Manipur.
We think that it will be a little help to the widows who are fighting for life without their husband", says Olner Kom, husband of the first women boxer from India to have won five World Titles consecutively said when contacted."�because we love and want to help them" .
The above two highways that cut through the hills, which are the traditional habitat of various tribes, mainly Nagas and Kukis, connect Manipur's capital Imphal with the rest of the country.
The Naga group, United Naga Council, is against the creation of a separate Sadar Hills district in areas they inhabit, and they retaliated by imposing a counter-blockade of the two highways on August 21 .
Mother of twin sons and recipient of special award from AIBA, Arjuna Award, Padma Shri Award, and the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Awardee's initiative has been appreciated by her dear and near ones.
"I'm an ardent admirer of your humility.
I guess in an extremely divided place like Manipur people of all community loves you", writes another fan.
"You should act as an agent to reconcile all differences and bring a feeling of one Manipur" .