Juggling ring and Parliament not a laughing matter for Mary Kom

Mary Kom takes the oath as a member of the Rajya Sabha in April, 2016, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi watches. Pic/PTI

New Delhi: Comparisons of her dual role with a certain Manny Pacquiao only evoke laughter from MC Mary Kom but the five-time world champion says being an active boxer and a Parliamentarian at the same time is no laughing matter as the twin jobs are exhausting and exhilarating in equal measure.

Tell her that multiple roles make her comparable to Pacquiao, the Filipino boxing superstar who is a Senator as well as an active boxer, Mary Kom breaks into a giggle.

"But hey, I am managing a lot more being a woman. Training, Parliament and then doing my own chores at home and of course taking care of my children," she points out.