Olympic bronze medallist boxer Mary Kom on Tuesday said that women should not forget that “they are the creators, caretakers, fighters and winners in every aspect of their lives” and hence there was a great need to “awaken themselves to this realisation and look after themselves better”.
Ms. Kom, a five-time world boxing champion, was speaking at the “Women’s Cancer and Cardiac Awareness and Screening Camp” at Artemis Hospital here. The initiative by Artemis Hospitals aims to spread awareness regarding these diseases all across the country, including the Northeast.
Saying that she was not a good orator and “only good at the (boxing) ring”, Ms. Kom, amid loud applause, said the need of the hour was to educate everyone regarding cancer and heart diseases. “That’s why we are joining hands and taking this initiative forward to the north-eastern part of India where there is a low level of awareness regarding these diseases.”
“If I can do, you can also do”, said Ms. Kom recounting how she, a mother of three, managed to achieve so much for herself in the field of sports only because of her passion for boxing. “I still have not fulfilled my dreams. I wanted gold medal for my country (in the Olympics), but I could not. I had to miss Commonwealth Games because of the birth of my third child, but I am ready for Asian Games after a break,” said Ms. Kom, who is also brand ambassador for Artemis Hospitals.
Speaking on the occasion, Artemis Hospitals CEO Devlina Chakravarty said: “This is the beginning of our association with Mary Kom to spread consciousness about cancer and heart diseases, all over India. Today, this initiative is being flagged off from Artemis in Gurgaon; we will take this journey forward and end it in the Northeast, the homeland of Mary.”
