India News

Report : Felix Anthony

New Delhi, Dec 11 : On the occasion of United Nations International Human Rights Day, All India Council of Human Rights, Liberties and Social Justice (AICHLS) conferred on Thomas Menamparampil, the Archbishop Emeritus of Guwahati, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam World Peace Award-2023 at a grand ceremony held at the Indian Islamic Cultural Centre, Lodhi Road, New Delhi, on 10 December 2023.

Reacting to the award, the 87-year-old Archbishop Menamparampil said, “I do not know if I deserve this recognition. In this age and time when there is a steady spread of divisive agenda, hatred, polarisation, religious discrimination, violence and war, the place of peace has lost its relevance. If this award helps stop this trend, so be it.” He also thanked his Peace Team and all his co-workers in Northeast India for their shared effort for common good and invited all sections of people to join hands together in the cause of common good and for the strengthening of human values.

The award document reads: “After perusing your credentials, it remains our considered opinion that you have worked tirelessly and selflessly to promote Human Rights, Peace with kindness and compassion into action through multifarious humanitarian services, and above all, you believe in justice for all, peacefulness, meekness and innocence as the natural way of life, and your worthy example does inspire others especially the young generation towards certain remarkable achievements.” And it concludes with these words: “Your inspiring and visionary leadership is greatly appreciated.”

Archbishop John Moolachira of Guwahati and the President of the North East India Regional Bishops’ Council, congratulated the Archbishop Menamparampil on this recognition conferred on him. “The award is a well-deserved recognition for all his peace initiatives. He is a die-hard peace activist, civil rights champion and a great writer who always appeals for peace in the community. We need more such leaders in the Church”, Archbishop Moolachira said.

The peace initiative of Archbishop Menamparampil began in 1996 when a major clash in Kokrajhar District of Assam had put the lives of hundreds of innocent people in danger and thrown lakhs of refugees into relief camps. His Peace Team was able to assist, at the first stage in relief work, and at a later stage, in the dialogue between the two communities in conflict. This Peace Team was able to assist several other communities in Northeast India in tense relationships during the last three decades.

Congratulating Archbishop Menamparampil on the peace award, Sr. Elizabeth FMA, who was part of his Peace Team since 1996, said, “I have worked closely with him. He takes all effort possible to bring about peace, even at times putting his life into risk. For his contribution to the cause of peace, he is truly deserving of this recognition.”

Salesian Bishop, Menamparampil has in the recent past, has written many thought-provoking pieces for some of the leading national and international publications, all appealing for peace and religious harmony, in the context of the ongoing ethnic and religious conflict in Manipur.

The Archbishop said that the current situation in Manipur is extremely difficult, but there is always reason to believe that the communities concerned will take the cause of Peace forward.

Youth leaders from North East India too congratulated the Archbishop on the award. “It is a proud moment for the people of the North East Region and he is truly an inspiration to all of us especially to the youth,” said Becare Me O Nongtdu from Shillong, who works as Adviser to Indian Catholic Youth Movement.

Apart from these peace initiatives that Archbishop Menamparampil is known for, he has spent more than half a century in North East India promoting health and education, giving special attention to marginal communities. Six hospitals, dozens of schools, boarding houses, colleges, institutions for the differently abled and development centres look to him as their originator. More than the turn-over of work in these institutions, what he insists more especially on is collaborative relationship between communities and equal concern for all sections of people, tribes, and cultures. He has a very special interest in the cultural uniqueness of all the communities of North East India. He firmly believes that value-systems prevailing among various ethnic groups in the North East Region have something to contribute to the national character of India and even to world heritage.

Archbishop Menamparampil had won earlier the Maschio Award, Careno Award, and Ambassador for Peace Award for his huge contribution to the cause of peace.