The Olympic medallist and boxer says her autobiography is a no-holds barred account of her life and career. She tells Divya Kaushik that she was known for beating boys as a child
It is said that a written word is the biggest inspiration and five-time world boxing champion MC Mary Kom truly believes so. Therefore, when it came to sharing her story and experiences, she wanted to pen it down all. Though a film on her life and journey is in progress, featuring Priyanka Chopra, Mary wanted to share her story in her own words and style. “It was always in my mind as I wanted to inspire women of my country to follow their dreams and believe in themselves. Struggles and hurdles only make you strong,” commented the boxer, who will be launching her autobiography Unbreakable today at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. The book was earlier launched in Mumbai and Bengaluru. After its launch in Delhi, it will be released in Guwahati and Manipur.
“I want to travel with this book and let more people know about it. Though I have spoken about my humble background, upbringing, struggles and my career in various interviews, there were many things left to be shared. This book compiles everything. As far as a movie is concerned I am sure that it will come out very well and everybody involved with it is working really hard, but it is difficult to incorporate minute details in a three-hour long package. A movie has to be entertaining, too, so it has its own limitations. Therefore I thought that an autobiography will be an ideal way to share facts and present the real picture,” shared Mary, who belongs to Kom tribal community of north eastern state of Manipur.
Mary has revealed all in her book — tough childhood, her rebellions, how long she waited for Onler (her husband) to propose marriage, how she was willing to run away with him and, of course, how she held her own in the male-dominated world of boxing.
Born to parents who were landless agricultural labourers in the state of Manipur, Mary’s story is one of relentless struggle and unflagging passion for the sport of boxing. A childhood of hard labour prepared her body for the sport just as well as any fitness training might have. Her own will and aggression carried her through the minefield of politics that any sport in India is. “The other thing that only a few close ones know is that I was a really naughty child and used to fight with boys in my neighbourhood. I used to punch them pretty well. Now when I think of it I feel so accomplished that I made what I was good at, my career,” she smiled and added, “I always wanted to do something unique. People said that boxing was not for women. I wanted to prove them wrong. If a man can indulge in the sport, why not a woman. That inspired me and I am where I am today. But it was a lot of work and I want to tell people about that.”
One of her sister helped Mary in penning down the book and she shared that while writing the autobiography there were several incidents that made the sisters laugh and shed tears together. “It was like going down the memory lane and recalling everything that has contributed in making me whatever I am today. It was a mix of good and bad. The story is told both as a woman, who is trying to establish her identity in the male-dominated world and in Indian sports, and as a boxer. Also, I have shared changes that came in my life at various stages, like post marriage and motherhood. Giving examples from my own life, I want to share with other women how difficult and important it is to maintain balance, and for that support of your partner is important. I consider myself lucky that I am married to the right person who encouraged me at every step and it is because of him that I managed to pursue my dreams. If he would not have supported me I would not have been this confident,” she said.
She recalled meeting her husband, who also belongs to Kom community. “In 2000, I boarded the train from Manipur for the Nationals to Bengaluru. I lost my wallet in a previous train journey, so I strapped my suitcase that had my passport, money and other things with an iron rod to my wrist. But I lost my suitcase and I was most worried about my passport. Onler (her husband), then president of North East students body in Delhi, heard of the incident and offered to help her. I really liked him as a person and we met often and got married,” she said.
She attributes her success to God, her family and husband. “God gave me strength to face tough situations, family showed confidence and faith in me and my husband has stood besides me like a pillar,” she said.
For the Mumbai launch of her autobiography, Mary invited Amitabh Bachchan. She has a reason for it.
“He was the first person to congratulate me during my Olympics. It was heart-touching and I wanted my book to be unveiled by him.”