Mamata, the streetfighter, has a black belt now
Seoul-based KUKKIWON, the apex body of Korean martial art Taekwondo, will confer an honorary black belt on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
Mamata Banerjee has always been a streetfighter. Put her in the middle of a war zone and she is likely to feel right at home. Her 'firestarter' ways have already earned her a place in the Time magazine's list of 100 most influential politicians. But now her martial brand of politics is getting more recognition.
Seoul-based KUKKIWON, the apex body of Korean martial art Taekwondo, will confer an honorary black belt on the chief minister of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee in February 2013 in a bid to honour her fighting spirit and enthusiasm for sports.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. PTI
“Kukkiwon is handing over the degree to salute her fighting spirit and enthusiasm for the sports,” said Pradipto Roy, former Taekwondo world champion and the first Taekwondo Hall of Fame recipient of India.
The title would put Banerjee on par with two international celebrities — US president Barrack Obama and British soccer star David Beckham.
In India, her peers will be Bollywood super star and West Bengal’s brand ambassador Shah Rukh Khan and Mizoram's chief minister Pu Lalthanhawla but they were conferred the degree through franchisees or members of KUKKIWON.
“After the ceremony, Mamata will become a Taekwondo grandmaster,” Roy affirmed.
"KUKKIWON is handing over the degree in an effort to pay respect to her fighting spirit and enthusiasm for sports. In fact, the state government and KUKKIWON are planning to open a Taekwondo university in the city," said Roy.