World boxing champ Mangte Chungneijang Mary Kom from the Northeast region of Manipur is one among the other prominent names who will be conferred with the country’s second-highest civilian award Padma Vibhushan.
As many as 141 personalities will be conferred with the Padma awards this year– Padma Vibhushan for 7, Padma Bhushan for 16 and Padma Shri for 118. The awards will be handed away by the President of India Ram Nath Kovind at Rashtrapati Bhawan in the capital city at ceremonial functions.
Mary Kom who is also the incumbent Rajya Sabha MP is the only woman to become World Amateur Boxing champion for a record six times. She also holds the record for being the only woman boxer to have won a medal in each one of the first seven World Championships, and the only boxer to win eight World Championship medals.
Post the announcement of the Padma Awards congratulatory messages have started pouring in from all quarters.
Boxing Federation of India president Ajay Singh while extending his heartiest wishes to the celebrated boxer said that ‘Mary Kom is an inspiration to many’.
Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh saluted Mary Kom for the achievement and said that she is pride of India.
Union Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju took to his Twitter handle to congratulate the ace boxer and wrote—‘ Dear Mary Kom, Hearty Congratulations on being conferred with the most prestigious Padma Vibhushan! What you have achieved for India in sports is beyond any words! You won 8 World Boxing Championship medals and an Olympic medal! Whole of India is proud of you.’
Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu congratulated the boxer and said that she is a huge source of inspiration to the boxers in the country and across the world.
Photo Credit: @MCMaryKom
