Lamka, December 17 2008: Minutes before boxer MC Mary Kom headed for Mumbai today for the MTV India Youth Icon ceremony, numerous civil organizations of the Zomi tribe today felicitated their world champion daughter at a simple but impressive ceremony organised at YPA Hall, New Lamka here.

The four time World women's boxing champion and mother of two, who was promised the 'Khel Ratna' by none other than the Union Sports Minister, had to reluctantly cut short the celebration as she was scheduled to take the flight enroute to Mumbai.

Nevertheless, Mary Kom, whose birth-place is in Kangvai village of Churachandpur district, stood atop a maruti gypsy and waved all along to the tumultuous cheers of passers-by who were pleasantly surprised by the un-announced visit.

They were specially surprised as the best puncher in the world passed through their locality until she reached New Lamka for the felicitation programme.

Roped in by the Zomi Students Federation, she was in particular honoured by various civil societies of the Zomis � Zomi Mothers' Association, Zomi Youth Organisation, Zomi Human Rights Federation, Zomi Economic and Planning and Development Agency and its apex body, the Zomi Council.

Speaking briefly on her achievements, former ZSF leader, H Mangchinkhup urged public leaders, social workers and political leaders through the length and breadth of the country that boast of its democratic principles to ponder, whether Mary was awarded and honoured worth her achievements.

Obviously referring to those who had accorded a hearty welcome to the Beijing Olympics shooting gold medallist Abhinav Bindra at IGI International Airport, New Delhi, he posed, "where are you when Mary Kom � the lone woman to consecutively claim world championship titles for the fourth time sets her foot to the nation's capital from Ningbo in China".

"It is purely a discrimination of the tribal and the minorities,' he expressed.

The long echoes in her home town that she too recently made it public out of frustration, it seems were however heard by a certain section of the media as CNN-IBN has conferred her 'Real Heroes' award and that she is now set to grace the MTV India Youth Icon Award wherein she was a nominee.

The woman described as a 'dark horse' by the International Boxing community appealed the gathering today as she jabbed a direct question on the youths, 'I am a champion before my marriage; I still am even after my marriage and still so even after giving birth to two.

You all are still young, and what are you doing,' evoking tremendous cheer and applause.

The ace boxer despite her promise for another date with the youngsters due to her tight schedule however disclosed during her eight minute speech that she as a homely and a tribal woman often feels lonely.

"At times I feel as if I am the only tribal woman to be in this sport, and I often feel abandoned,' she said even as she encouraged the youngsters to take up the game of boxing.

'I will guide you in whatever ways I can,' was her soothing assurance.

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