Kom community basks under the light of Mary Kom
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 07, 2012:
Kom, one of the smallest tribes to which pugilist MC Mary Kom belongs is one of the smallest communities in Manipur.
Her Olympic feat � storming into London Olympics' semi-finals has virtually made her the brightest star among the Kom community.
The Koms, nevertheless, lead the population among the Komrem, a conglomerate of six small sub-tribe whose total population is around 40, 000. Besides Kom, the other Komrem tribes include Kharam, Chiru , Aimol, Koiren and Purum.
The Komrem community are settled mostly at the foothills in Churchachanpur, Bishnupur, Imphal West, Imphal East and Chandel districts in a circular form surrounding the twin-Imphal valley.
Mary's feat has also gone a long way in stoking the pride of the Kom community.
"With her Olympic glory, Mary has put our small Kom/Komrem community on the global map.
We are really proud of her feat.
Now we are proud to be a Kom," said Achon Kom, a resident of Koirenthak Khuman (Kom) village in Churchandpur district.
"With her stupendous showing, we are now confident of grooming great sports persons like her from among the budding Komrem youth," he said.
Though small in population , the tribe has produced many prominent persons.
Besides Mary, the community has a senior IPS officer, L Kailun Kom who is serving as Inspector General of Police in Manipur Police Department, a few doctors, one judge and a number of white collared employees serving in different sectors.
On the other hand Mary's native village Kangathei in Churachandpur district has now become a land of carnival with many of them continuing with their celebration.
"It is also believed that Koms are the descendents of Pidam and Pumdam who always put on turban and kept long hair," Achon, who has got the 'Guru' title from the Ministry of Culture, said.
Incidentally Mary's glory came at a time when a handful of Kom tribes have embarked on a mission to revive their dying culture as almost all Kom people, who converted to Christianity have lost track of their indigenous cultural roots and tradition.