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Sixteen years is a long time for anything. The world has witnessed much change over all that time, and yet one thing remained constant: One woman in Manipur who refused to eat, meet her mother or lead a normal life. Until today. Meet Irom Sharmila, the Iron Lady of Manipur.

Sharmila concluded her 16-year-long hunger strike against the imposition of the draconian Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act on August 9, saying she will instead contest elections in Manipur, where polls are up next year. As you might expect, tributes to the Iron Lady's struggle have been flowing in.

The video above is an animated version, influenced by the style of RS Animate, of the 16 years of Sharmila's struggle. Below you will find a news feature on Sudarshan Pathak's tribute to Sharmila in the form of a sand sculpture on a beach in Puri, Orissa.

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Apart from book excerpts, tribute articles and think pieces shared on social media, netizens provided their two cents to the conversation.