KSO urges CM Ibobi to revise package to Mary Kom
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 10, 2012:
Expressing dissatisfaction over the announcement made by the State Government pertaining to the award package for MC Mary Kom for her stellar performance in the London Olympic, the Kuki Students' Organisation (General Headquarters), on behalf of the Kuki people, urged the Chief Minister to reconsider its publicised reward package for the Gold Medal even if the 'magnificent daughter of the State' is coming back with a Bronze medal.
At the same time, the KSO demanded that the Government award Mary Kom with the rank of SP or any equivalent position it deemed fit and the Rs 1 Crore it announced for the Gold medal and also the four acres of prime land including the 2 acres it had already given to her in recognition of her 5th World title.
"At a time when the whole country erupted in jubilation and celebration, the euphoric moment was spoiled by the unsavoury announcement of the State Government," said the KSO (Ghqs) statement signed by its vice president, Mangcha Baite while adding that the Government's proclamation to promote her to the rank of Additional SP in the Manipur Police if she fetches gold was a total embarrassment.
The KSO said the rank (Additional SP) was already conferred on Mary Kom in 2010 when she won the World Championship for a record five times while pointing out that the CM had bestowed the honour during a State reception accorded to her at Khuman Lampak Stadium.
In that reception, she was also rewarded with 2 acres of prime land for her dream project of setting up a boxing academy, it pointed out.
Stating that she was further more honoured by naming a stretch of road in NGV as MC Mary Kom Road, the KSO statement lamented that not even a single signboard bearing the name is to be seen till today while asserting that such rewards and gestures of the Government could be construed as just namesakes.
"More ironical was that no award and incentives for a bronze medal were mentioned in the State Government's official announcement right after her victory in the quarter finals.
Since there is no dearth of award for Mary Kom across the country, the State Government's paltry reward is something to be ashamed of.
And if Mary Kom so desire, she is free to choose any better offer that might come her way," the KSO statement posited.
The Government must reward Mary Kom with the rank of SP or any equivalent position it deemed fit and the Rs 1 Crore it announced for the Gold medal and also the four acres of prime land including the 2 acres it had already given to her in recognition of her 5th World title, the KSO demanded while adding that this would be the most fitting reward that she truly deserves.