In open letter to sons, Mary Kom reveals she was molested at 17

MC Mary Kom and her husband Onler with their son Prince at a Mumbai mall in 2013Speaking out against sexual abuse is scary but now more and more celebrities are using their platform to raise awareness about the heinous act and inspire the survivorsSeveral celebs like Kalki Koechlin Oprah Winfrey Lady Gaga have revealed that they were sexually assaulted in their younger daysNow boxer Mary Kom who is a role model for all genders has come and revealed that she was molested as a teen She revealed this in an open letter she wrote to her sons The letter is part of a social campaign called LetsTalkAboutRape an initiative by The Hindustan Timesin which celebrities talk about rape and sexual abuseThe Manipuri boxers letter is apowerful one detailing her experience of sexual violenceDespite being a woman who has won nuemrous medals beating opponents to pulp Mary Kom reveals that she was molested first in Manipur and then again while she was out with her girl friends in Delhi and Haryanas HissarMary Kom who is a fivetime World Amateur Boxing champion writes in the letter I know it is shocking to learn that even a woman who has earned her spurs boxing her way through life was made to feel violatedWhile detailing her experiences for her three son 9yearold and 3yearold the 2003 Asian Games gold medallist recounted the unfortunate incident in her letterldquoI was on my way to my training camp at 830 in the morning in a cycle rickshaw when a stranger suddenly lunged at me and stroked my breast I was angry very angryldquoI leapt off the rickshaw and chased him holding my slipper in my hand but he managed to escape My regret is that I could not catch him or the karate that I had already learnt by then would have come in handyThe Olympics bronze medallist leavesall the conventional ideas of gender roles on the floor of the ring pretty much like she left her opponentsTalking about her husband Onler sha saidYou grow up in a home where we teach you respect and equality Your father does not go out to do a ninetofive job ndash like you see your friendrsquos dads doing ndash because one of us must always be there for youThe Rajya Sabha MP who got married in 2005added I have the utmost respect for your father who now dedicates his time for me and for you all You will soon hear the words house husband but remember thatrsquos not a slur neither is it derogatory Hersquos my strength my partner who walks with me through every step I takeShe doesnt hide the fact that citizens of the country who are from the North Eastern states still faceracial discrimination ldquoYou might be walking with me one of these days to hear your mother being called a lsquochinkyrsquo That is a slur That is racist She reaffirms that she is Indian and they too are growing up as IndiansWhile the Olympian isnt saddened by the fact that she may not be as recognisable as a MS Dhoni or Virat Kohli but what puts her off is the fact that she is referred to as chinky My country has given me fame and recognition but I am not recognised by each person on the road ndash as an MS Dhoni or a Virat Kohli will most certainly be ndash but I do not deserve to be called chinkyAnd what she ends her letter with a piece of advice for men that should be part of the school cirriculum across the world I would fail in my duty as a mother if I did not tell you ndash all great sons of this country ndash that we alone have rights to our bodies Respect women when they say lsquoNorsquo Donrsquot stalk them to death because they have said lsquoNorsquo Rape is not about sex it is only about a misplaced sense of power and revengeDesire is beautiful when it is reciprocal We have often heard the explanation of lsquoboys will be boysrsquo Letrsquos build a society where girls can be safe secure and respected the Padma Bhusan awardee writes