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Rebel Girls

Mary Kom Read by Poorna Jagannathan

Rebel Girls

Rebel Girls

Stories For Kids, Education For Kids, Kids & Family

4.57.2K Ratings

🗓️ 14 May 2024

⏱️ 21 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Once upon a time, there was a girl who grew up to be the most successful boxer in India’s history. Her name was Mary Kom. Mary was an energetic child who was naturally drawn towards sports. So she enrolled herself in a sports academy where she discovered her love of boxing, but her trainers thought she was too small. Still, Mary sparred until she improved her technique, showing up early and staying late to train. She was terrified her parents would stop her, but they eventually grew to be her biggest supporters. With her nation and family’s support, Mary boxed her way to the Olympic Games and inspired generations to come. [This episode originally aired March 2019.] About the Narrator: Poorna Jagannathan is an award-winning actress and producer. Critically acclaimed for her performance on HBO's "The Night Of," Jagannathan will soon be seen in season 2 of HBO's "Big Little Lies," and on Hulu's two most anticipated shows of 2019: "The Act" and "Ramy." Her past work on HBO's "Room 104" and AMC's Better Call Saul" garnered critical attention and some of her recent film credits include A24's "Share," directed by Pippa Bianco, Peter Berg's “Mile 22,” and Aamir Kahn’s trailblazing Bollywood comedy, “Delhi Belly,” for which she won a Stardust and a L’Oreal Femina award for best supporting actress. Jagannathan is the winner of the 2013 Amnesty International Award for the play “Nirbhaya” by Yael Farber, which she initiated, produced and acted in. The play was called by The Telegraph as “One of the most powerful pieces of theater you’ll ever see." Credits: This episode of Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls is produced by Elena Favilli, Joy Fowlkes, and Meg Murnane, with writing by Grace Boyle and narration by Poorna Jagannathan. Jestine Ware edited all scripts. Sound design and original theme music by Elettra Bargiacchi. Mattia Marcelli was the sound mixer.

Transcript

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0:00.0

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0:07.0

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Plus, check out the app's cool features,

0:14.7

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and more, all parent trusted and kids safe.

0:20.6

Find out more at rubblegirls.com

0:22.6

slash audio and download the rebel girls app today.

0:25.4

Thanks for listening. Once upon a time there was a girl who dreamed of pulling her family out of poverty.

0:40.0

Her name was Mary. Mary.

0:44.0

Mary was born in Manipur, India,

0:50.0

and every day she helped her father plow the rice paddies of the wealthier landowners.

0:56.6

When Mary was old enough, her father insisted that she must attend school. He believed that the only way out of poverty for his children was

1:08.3

through education. Mary walked herself to school every day avoiding the treacherous potholes of

1:14.9

moneypours back roads. When sharp rocks pierced the soles of her shoes, her

1:21.1

mother repaired them by melting the rubber soles back together with a pair of red-hot metal tongs.

1:27.0

Mary's home had no electricity and because her family couldn't afford candles, she did her homework by the light of homemade lamps that produce more smoke than light.

1:38.0

She worked hard to study as fast as possible and complete all her homework before the sun set.

1:46.2

Mary fully committed to her studies, but her true passion was in sports.

1:56.8

When she turned 15 she begged to train at a well respected Sports Academy in the capital city several hours away from their home. After

2:02.1

months of heated discussion, Mary's father finally conceded.

2:06.2

He would allow her to go as long as she completed her school work, held a part-time job,

...

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