While addressing the Inaugural function of the evaluation of the Peace Channel activities of the past years Most. Rev. Dr. James Thoppil Bishop of Kohima Diocese said that dialogue is the only way forward for the sustainable peace in Nagaland. Addressing the Peace Channel staff and volunteers he said we need to address the issues faced by our people at large.
Our people have been suffering in the different parts of the state. Church and the civil society leaders need to work in hand in hand to resolve our differences through a meaningful dialogue with the conflicting parties to give hope to our present generation of children and youth. He also said that Peace Channel should always come forward to work in conflict situation.Rev. Dr. Fr. Mathew Director of Shalom Rehab Centre led the invocation.
Rev. Fr. Dr. Sebastian, Director DAN also shared his experience saying that we need to strengthen the intertribal and community based leadership to bring lasting solution to the present issues faced by our people in different parts of the state and the region. Peace Channel should be ready to face challenges and also be able to intervene in conflict times. He stressed on the utmost importance to form an Inter-Tribal Peace Community. So that it will be easier to content any tribal situations.
Rev. Fr. C.P.Anto, the Director of Peace Channel and the principal of NEISSR said that Peace Channel has been making some difference in the life of our children and youth by cultivating the culture of peace in their personal lives by regular inner peace exercises and capacity building programmes.
It is being a secular movement it has been catering to the needs of all walks of people irrespective of caste, creed, sex, tribe and region. He also appreciated the active involvement of Churches, NGO’s and civil society larders in making the dream a reality.
The Convenor of People’s Forum for Peace (PFP) Mr. Taku Longkumer, who also spoke on the occasion appreciated the initiatives taken by the movement and peace cannot prevail in one day effort. Conflicts will not end and we all should actively involve in the peace building and dialogue process.
He envisioned that it was possible for Peace Channel to go to the districts of Nagaland, North East region and wished to go even out side India in the days to come.
Thanking for making the Evaluation of project with such grand inaugural, Mrs.Enakshi appreciated the work of the Church and Peace Channel in building peace. She emphasized on the message delivered by Bishop on the importance of dialogue. She said that she was happy with the way the project was taken and it has been making a change in the conflict region of the North East India.
She also hinted the possibilities of net working with likeminded organizations in the days to come. She also said that Peace Channel has become very relevant to the people of the region and let this model be implemented other parts of the country. The program ended with the vote of thanks from Martin Angami and the days programme ended with the Peace Channel Anthem.
Kohima Diocese
