Mirabai Chanu has shown to the world that Manipur, even though it is a small state, can compete with other big countries and she showcased the talent and grit of the small state, the umbrella group said.
TFM Desk
The proscribed umbrella group, Coordination Committee (CorCom), congratulated and gave its ‘revolutionary salute’ to Saikhom Mirabai Chanu on her stupendous performance at the ongoing Tokyo Olympics, 2020.
In a release by its Publicity Committee, CorCom also expressed gratitude to other players of Kangleipak (Manipur) who are participating in the games — MC Mary Kom, Pukhrambam Sushila Chanu, Shanglakpam Nilakanta, and Sushila Likmabam. It also showed gratitude to other players who are showcasing WESEA, including Tarundeep Rai of Sikkim, Lovlina Borgohain of Assam and Lalremsiami of Mizoram.
The umbrella group contended that the joy that the people of Manipur is experiencing would have been much more had the players participated in the Olympics under an ‘independent’ Manipur banner. Unfortunately, they had to play for India, it added.
Mirabai Chanu has shown to the world that Manipur, even though it is a small state, can compete with other big countries and she showcased the talent and grit of the small state. Her performance has motivated the revolutionary movements around the world, it added.
The umbrella group also said that the success of Mirabai Chanu is a culmination of the contributions of several players of the game. She is carrying forward the baton from other pioneers of the game from the state, including Anita, Kunjarani and Sanamacha.
Mirabai Chanu’s story is the epitome of turning failure into success. The defeat she faced in the Rio Olympics, 2016 became her lesson and it served as her motivation, it added.
CorCom also expressed gratitude to the parents of Mirabai Chanu for letting and helping her focus on her goal. Had it been for other societies known for repressing women and also had she been born in a family where women are looked down upon, there would not have been a woman of Mirabai Chanu’s calibre, it added.
The umbrella group also criticized the Indian mainstream society for being racist. Even though there are few mainland Indians, a majority of them are racist, it contended. It also accused them of acting to be grateful to the people of WESEA when such victorious achievements are made, while continuing to repress these people.
CorCom further said that if Manipur had been an independent country, thousands of players would have burst into the international arena. Also, they would not have to go through the racial discrimination faced by them in mainland Indians, it added.