Mary Kom is now National Icon of Election Commission of India (ECI)
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, November 18 2012:
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has selected Manipuri woman boxer and Olympic bronze medalist MC Mary Kom as its National Icon.
She is the first lady to be selected as the National Icon of ECI and the third in the country.
Up till now, the Election Commission of India has appointed two National Icons of ECI.
They are former President of India APJ Abdul Kalam Azad and India Cricketer MS Dhoni.
Till date, MC Mary Kom is the only female to be selected as the National Icon by the ECI.
According to information received from ECI, Mary Kom will be entrusted with two important duties.
The first duty of Mary Kom would be to create awareness among the youths including women of the country to register themselves in the photo electoral rolls and her second role would be to spread the message to the general public for exercising their franchise in a free and fair manner.
Meanwhile, Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi presented a cash reward of Rs 20 lakhs to Mary Kom at a grand function at Navinchandra Bordoloi Indoor Stadium located at Sarusajai Sports Complex, Assam yesterday.
Archer Jayanta Talukhdar, who represented India in the London Olympics, was also awarded with a cash prize of Rs 5 lakhs on the occasion.
Mary Kom, while accepting the honour, thanked the people of Assam and Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi for encouraging sportspersons of the North East region and said that since there are enough sports equipment available in Assam, the sportspersons of the state can now bring out their level best.
Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi appreciated the hard work and sincerity of Mary Kom and described her as an iconic sportsperson.