If I can do it after marriage and children, so can you: Mary Kom’s from-the-heart advice to Saina

These days, the loudest cheers somehow are reserved for Mary each time she is felicitated, says a report in The Hindu. The boxer from Manipur stole the show after wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt made an impact on the audience at a function where Samsung honoured the six medallists.

“Only yesterday, I told Saina (Nehwal), one day you will get married, you will have your children… but you can continue to play (at the highest level). I am sure your husband, whoever he is, will support you. If I can do it, you too can…”

This candid, from-the-heart advice from Mary Kom, with Saina unable to control her laughter, had a packed hall in splits during a function organised by consumer-durable major Samsung to honour the Indian medal winners in the London Olympics.

Silver-medallists Sushil Kumar and Vijay Kumar received Rs. 15 lakh each while the bronze-winning quartet of Mary Kom, Saina Nehwal, Yogeshwar Dutt and Gagan Narang took home Rs. 10 lakh each.

Meanwhile a report in The Times Of India says that the six Olympic medallists are surely feeling like Bollywood celebrities since their return from London. They are put on pedestals and garlanded by fans everywhere. They are undoubtedly the toast of the nation. With adulation, come responsibilities! Like a movie star ahead of a Friday release, these Olympians are shuttling from one venue to another to be feted for their achievements. On Friday, the six of them - Sushil Kumar, Yogeshwar Dutt, Vijay Kumar, MC Mary Kom, Gagan Narang and Saina Nehwal - were taken to four different places through the day.

The day began with a visit to the Prime Minister's residence at 7, Race Course Road, where they met Manmohan Singh and UPA chief Sonia Gandhi. From there they proceeded to visit senior BJP leader LK Advani followed by an Indian Olympic Association (IOA) felicitation.

According to a report in Mail Today, when asked how difficult it was to manage family and a career simultaneously, Mary Kom said: “Saina was asking me the same question. I said don't worry. When you get married and have kids and if you have the support of your husband you can also do that,' she replied.

Saina, who was sitting beside her, blushed. 'A woman can do anything if there is will power and determination. My friends used to tell me that boxing is meant for boys. I promised to myself that I will prove them wrong. I will show them what women can do. It was a challenge for me to show that women can also do what men can,' the 29-year-old mother of two said amidst huge cheers.
Saina spoke of her achievements and her future goals. “The year has been great for me. I won three titles and then the Olympic bronze. It is a big motivation for me to keep performing the same way,” said Saina.

“I spend so many sleepless nights after the Beijing Olympics when I lost after leading 11-3 in the quarter-finals. I told myself that I will have to win it the next time. I am glad to have done it. Next time I will like to do even better.”