I posted this in one of the social networking sites
recently. "This is the first time ever in my life I am actually
contemplating in my decision of going back home." It might have sound like
one of those impulsive moments when you just speak your mind. Well, it wasn't
really the same for me.
In a male dominated country, it's rare to see the fairer sex given more prominence in any walk of life. It's pretty much prevalent in India. In a majority of caste and communities. Whilst the majority of the country still believe in bestowing man with higher authorities, it's not really the same in North East India. If there is a State like Meghalaya with its legacy of a matrilineal society, a heritage that sets it apart from all the other states of not only the northeast but that of the entire country of India, there is a State like Manipur known to have witnessed the successful role of collective women's power in the past, which dates back as early as early 90's.
A mother of two, Mary Kom started her career as an athlete but later switched to boxing following the success of fellow Manipuri boxer Dingko Singh. She started her boxing career in 2000 after which there was no stopping her.
That's the sorry plight of our country.
 |
| Mary Kom assures medal in the Olympics | © copyright Anupam Nath / AP |
Having lived all my life amidst the hills of North
East India, till 2003 when I left my home town for higher studies, I have had always
wanted to go back home. I thought I could at some point of time. Today, I am
actually contemplating; for various reasons of course.
It's after the Guwahati girl molestation case that I have been compelled to
rethink about my decision. For I know for
a fact that North East is one of those few places where women are still given a
higher esteem. Be it Manipur, a place known to have woman who have always
played a very vital and active role in
socio-political uplift of the State, or Meghalaya known for the matrilineal
society. When news on inhumane acts like female foeticide, dowry et al are
still prevalent, we still have places like these which depict a different part
of the story -- which, of course, often gets unreported.
In a male dominated country, it's rare to see the fairer sex given more prominence in any walk of life. It's pretty much prevalent in India. In a majority of caste and communities. Whilst the majority of the country still believe in bestowing man with higher authorities, it's not really the same in North East India. If there is a State like Meghalaya with its legacy of a matrilineal society, a heritage that sets it apart from all the other states of not only the northeast but that of the entire country of India, there is a State like Manipur known to have witnessed the successful role of collective women's power in the past, which dates back as early as early 90's.
Even after British subjugation, the Manipuris did not remain meek spectators. The women vendors rose in revolt twice against the colonial policies of the British. The first was against British efforts to browbeat the men folk into submission through enforced labour. The second revolt was against the extractive policy of the British causing artificial scarcity of rice in the otherwise food surplus state. These two revolts are engraved in history as the Nupilals.
 |
| © copyright withthisstringfilm.com |
It clearly gives out the testimony that Manipuri Women's are not just courageous, but revolutionaries too.
Manipur's 'iron lady' Irom Sharmila Chanu, who has been on a fast, for over 12 years
now, demanding the revocation of the controversial Armed Forces (Special
Powers) Act, has been in news on and off. But is that she deserves? Today,
when Team Anna goes fasting the whole
country seems to be with him. Here, we have a lady who has been on decade-long fast,
yet many seems to be still unaware of the news. So, I am not surprised when Binalakshmi Nepram, the founder of the Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network with characteristic passion asks, ‘Why don’t you cover Irom Sharmila’s decade-old fast with the same intensity as you did Anna Hazare’s 12-day fast?’
The 29-year-old Mary Kom, a mother of twins, is now assured of a medal in the Olympics after she booked a place in the semi-final, beating Tunisian Maroua Rahali 15-6 in a one-sided quarter-final at the ExCel Arena. Losing semi-finalists are assured of bronze medals. But Mary Kom has her eyes fixed on the Olympic gold. Now, is this enough to bring Manipur into the limelight. Well, that's something that we can figure out as days go by.
The 29-year-old Mary Kom, a mother of twins, is now assured of a medal in the Olympics after she booked a place in the semi-final, beating Tunisian Maroua Rahali 15-6 in a one-sided quarter-final at the ExCel Arena. Losing semi-finalists are assured of bronze medals. But Mary Kom has her eyes fixed on the Olympic gold. Now, is this enough to bring Manipur into the limelight. Well, that's something that we can figure out as days go by.
“When I started, they say
boxing is not for girls. After I get married, they say I cannot win after
marriage. After I have baby, they say I cannot win after baby. So I want to
prove, I want to show that I can make history for India," words coming out
from this petite lady -- a fighter -- not just inside the ring but outside too:
Mary Kom.
Out of the five world championships, Mary Kom, the fearsome fighter from the little known State of Manipur, has two two of them after giving birth to twin boys. In a nation bereft of athletic achievement, she ought to be a household name. But most Indians have never heard of her.
Out of the five world championships, Mary Kom, the fearsome fighter from the little known State of Manipur, has two two of them after giving birth to twin boys. In a nation bereft of athletic achievement, she ought to be a household name. But most Indians have never heard of her.
A mother of two, Mary Kom started her career as an athlete but later switched to boxing following the success of fellow Manipuri boxer Dingko Singh. She started her boxing career in 2000 after which there was no stopping her.
That's the sorry plight of our country.
No comments:
Post a Comment