Dimapur, Dec. 9 (EMN): The prestigious North East India Peace Award (NEIPA) has been conferred to Rev. CP Anto for his "surpassing interventions in boundaries of religion, tribes, caste and geography and for his relentless service towards promoting peace education”.
The seventh edition of the award was given away at Christ School, Nongsder at Umiam in Meghalaya on December 7, informed an update from Peace Channel Desk. Anto dedicated his award to the victims of violence and cash award was put as a scholarship for educating the less privileged children in the society.
"The main purpose of presenting this award is to bring to limelight the works and achievements of the grassroots personalities in north-east. The main objective of NEIPA is to motivate the youth and bring a positive change in the mindset of people to create a better north-east," it informed.
Former Chief Minister of Meghalaya DD Lapang presented the award to Anto during an annual function organised by Christ School International, Shillong and LLKK Foundation, Guwahati.
The award is an initiative of Christ School International, Meghalaya and KKLL Foundation, Guwahati, Assam since 2012.
C Varghese read the citation during the award ceremony and appreciated Anto "for initiating the peace movement called Peace Channel and establishing the first Master of Social Work Institute for promoting Peace and Conflict studies in India."
Anto, in his address, appreciated the "Peace Channel family for their hard work and team spirit for working towards making Nagaland the most peaceful state by 2030.” He informed that Peace Channel has been educating over 15000 children and youth on peace education and over 1000 teachers trained as peace educators, and around 500 have been trained to be the trainers for peace education and peer mediation, read the statement.