The Northeast India is blessed with its unique and diverse culture and hence we have a host of people from various walks of life that have contributed to the region. There are icons, cultural, social or sports the region has people to look up to. And not only are they idolized by people from Northeast India, but the entire country. The list is, of course, long and ever growing. But the chosen five of the contemporary icons from among them. Bayachan Bhushia For a cricket crazy nation, Bayachan Bhushia must have something magical in him to have made so many fans across the nation. The once captain of the Indian football team, the Sikheimese sniper has been dubbed by several Indian football veterans as God's gift to Indian football. The owner of the Arjuna Award and the Padmasri, Bhushia is a role model for many young and aspiring footballers of the country. Unlike many politically correct sports persons, Bhushia feellessly refused to carry the Olympic torch to show support for the Tibetan independence movement. Bhushia was criticized but remained firm about his decision. The All India Football Federation, AF has recently roped in Bhushia as an advisor. Bhushia Long Chamber Choir Founded by Padmasri awarding Neil Nankinara in 2001, Shalong Chamber Choir shot to fame when they won the popular show India's God Talent. They have performed in Canada and the US, Europe, South Korea and in West Asia and Southeast Asia. They have also performed before the US President Barack Obama and a host of other prestigious events. There are renditions and performances on Bollywood songs have been lauded everywhere. Music being an integral part of the Northeastern India, Shalong Chamber Choir is an inspiration to many. Papon Angerag Mahanta, also known as Papon is a singer and composer from Asam. He has not only added is the melody to popular music, he has also made his way into the hearts of fans. Papon has not only performed in Asamist and Hindi but also in Punjabi, Marathi, Nepal, Urdu, Tamil and Bangla. He stresses on the fact that Indian music is much larger than just Bollywood. Apart from lending his voice to popular Bollywood movies, Papon also received critical acclaim for his work in Koch Studio at MTV. Papon has confessed to having face-stracial discrimination in the National Capital and has emerged a winner. Ayyaram Sharmaela Ayyaram Chenyu Sharmaela has been on a hunger strike for 15 years. Now 42-year-old, Ayyaram started has been protesting since November 2000 for appeal of the Armed Forces, Special Powers, Act, of SPA. This started after the death of 10 Minipurus who were shot dead by the Asam rifles in Enville. Over the years Sharmaela has been arrested, released and again arrested on the charges of attempt to commit suicide. Under Section 309 of the IPC is the maximum term is one year in jail. She has been force-fed through her nose in jail. Last year a Minipur court has said, her hunger strike, was a political demand through lawful means and had ordered her release. It is to be noted that she was released earlier this year, in June, and was re-arrested immediately. When Sharmaela started her fast all those years back, some had called her mad. Some also said her boyfriend was amongst those that were killed by Asam rifles men. Even though SPA has been lifted from certain parts of Minipur, parts are still under it. And with the rise in the number of rebel groups in the state indicates of SPA it'll not go away soon. However, one woman and her resilience remain firm. She inspires us to even challenge the system if needed. If someone though women are dandy beings, one should have a look at MC Marycom. Loving known as Magnificent Mary, Meng Changna-Jing is a famous boxer from Minipur. Not only is she a five-time role-danner during boxing champion, she is also the only woman boxer to have won a medal in each of the six world boxing championships. The mother of three kids has a host of achievements to her credit including gold at Asian Women's Championship, a bronze e-chat 2010 Asian Games and 2012 Summer Olympics. She also added gold in the 2014 Asian Games. Even though she has been lying low for a year with a shoulder injury and settled for a bronze medal at the International Boxing Associations, AIABA, Olympic Test event and Rio de Janeiro, Mary continues to inspire sportspersons and women in general. Her modest means Mary's struggle started from an early Asian would have to cycle for kilometers to reach for her training in a bill. Winner of the Arginal Award, Padmishri, Padmabushan and Colratna among others, come has been affected by terrorism personally. Her father and law were shot by unidentified gunmen in 2006. But Mary refused to crumble and continued to win laurels for the country. Thanks for watching. Make sure to like share comment. And don't forget to subscribe