M.C. Mary Kom releases her book in Imphal on Wednesday as her twin sons, Khupneiva and Rechungvar, look on. Picture by UB Photos

Imphal, Dec. 18: Magnificent Mary hopes to make youngsters “unbreakable” with her autobiography by inspiring them with the story of her life’s struggles from a village to the victory stand at the London Olympic Games.

Five-time world boxing champion and Olympic bronze medallist M.C. Mary Kom’s autobiography Unbreakable, co-authored with Dina Serto, a lecturer with D.M. College here, had a Manipur release at a small function in the city today.

The 155-page book published by Harper Collins tells the story of her tough childhood at Kangathei, a small village inhabited by the Kom community in Churachandpur district, of her struggles, how she met her husband Onler Kom in Delhi and the support she received from her family and husband in her career.

The book, which has already been released in the country’s big cities, including Guwahati, was to be released in Manipur by chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh but he could not make it as the Assembly session began today.

So Mary and her husband decided to let their twin sons, Rechungvar and Khupneivar, release the book. As Khupneivar, the younger of the twins, held the book assisted by his mother, Rechungvar cut the ribbon and unwrapped the book with an effort as their father fondly looked on at his sons’ struggle with the release.

Mary’s mother, Akham Kom, who shared the dais holding Mary’s youngest son, seven-month-old Prince, flashed a smile when her twin grandsons released the book.

Mary and Serto took a year to complete the book. They had begun working on it immediately after she won the Olympic gold medal.

“I always wanted to do something to encourage the youngsters. So I decided to write the story of my struggle and how I could finally stand at the victory podium. I want to inspire them to be as successful as me,” Mary told the small gathering at the lawn of Imphal College here.

She said though her story was known to everyone, she hoped that the book would inspire children and motivate them to struggle and be unbreakable.

She hoped the people in Manipur would not mind that the book was released outside the state first.

The book comes ahead of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s biopic on Mary. Actress Priyanka Chopra will play Mary’s role in the film.

“The producer and the director are working on the film. They want to add some filmy masala to make it entertaining. However, the form and the story are the same in the book and the film,” Mary said.

In July this year, Bhansali and Priyanka visited Manipur to research for the film, which is expected to be released next year.

Sports Authority of India officials and Manipur Amateur Boxing Association secretary Khoibi Salam were among those who attended the book release.