From: Tom Mangattuthazhe Thomas <tmangatt@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, Feb 4, 2010 at 5:53 PM
Subject: Peace Initiatives at Haflong on Bisu Dima
To: Nirmala Carvalho <nirmalacarvalho@gmail.com>
Cc: KonkaniCatholics moderator <konkanicatholics@yahoo.com>
Peace Initiatives at Haflong on Bisu Dima
The civil society groups of North Cachar Hills district shared common ideals of understanding and reconciliation to bring about a change in the atmosphere and in the lives of our people, the one day seminar on Quality education and Youth Transformation held at Haflong Cultural Hall on 28th January was a welcome sign of change. I may be mentioned that over several people died and thousands rendered homeless in the year 2009 due to violence in the district. The seminar participants were unanimous in sharing the view that the conflict supposedly between Zemi Ngas and Dimasasa was not an ethnic conflict but was projected as an ethnic conflict for vested interests and political reasons.
The seminar was instrumental in bringing together people from various communities for empowerment, networking, awareness building, and promoting mutual understanding. The people have suffered an immense amount of pain and they even had to fight their own people during the miserable conflicts and displacement. Our land and people are still divided, sentiments are hurt, through our unfortunate events happened we believe we must put an end to this era of cruel violence with the help of the loving people who desperately wish for peace.
The invocation prayer was led by Rev.Fr.N.T.Jose, the vice principal of Don Bosco School, Haflong. Mr.Anurag Thangka,IAS the Superindent of Police North Cachar Hills district of Assam was the Chief Guest on the occasion. Wishing all the participants Bisu Dima the Dimasa new year he said that opportunity for the youth in the district for higher education is limited. He exhorted the youth to pursue excellence in education. Transformation in the society is needed and it depends on many individual decisions and there are several role models for us to follow. Internet is a tool to learn and excellent medium for transformation.
Mr.Mark Pillai the commandant from the Army base in Haflong wished the participants to work for a better future. He said that compared to several other parts of Northeast India, especially Manipur the NC hills situation is not that bad. Let us not look back but look towards future with hope. He concluded his speech by saying "God bless You and NC Hills".
Fr.C.P.Anto while giving the key note address congratulated the organizers and made special comments on the cultural dances that were performed by different communities. Taking the example from the dances he said that peace is a possibility if we work together. As the cock crows announcing the daybreak we can make a difference in the lives of people by our peace building efforts. He was instrumental in exhorting all the participants to take an oath for peace building. The oath taken by all the participants irrespective of the community affiliation was a clear sign that in the days to come there will be less violence and there are many who will take up the cause of peace in their own communities and villages.
I hope for a new history and new civilization that dignify life and turn confrontation into harmony, hatred into love, disunity into respect and unity, and violence into peace said Mr.Mathew Gangmei an eminent leader from Haflong.
Special songs and dances from various communities, short speeches by community leaders added colour and enthusiasm to the participants. Mr.Paul Hangnam an eminent social activist based in Haflong said that the greatest challenge for all is to become peace makers. Peace is possible when we understand what peace is, it is possible when we cherish the olden days of peace togetherness, the common celebrations. Let us learn from our past mistakes and join our hands for a better tomorrow.
Tom Mangattuthazhe, the secretary of Diphu citizens Peace Forum said that the greatest force that can change any situation is not physical power, a strong economy, or weapons, but acts of civil society groups to resist rumours about people and a will to be in peace. Violence and burning of houses cannot soothe hatred. Violence will induce a bigger war, hatred will beget bigger hatred, and we will find ourselves living in a more frightening world. Let us spread seeds and spread ourselves around other communities to cover whatever is tainted and make a world of peace, beauty, warmth, brotherhood and sisterhood, and family spirit. Let us become thinkers who design the future life of humanity, reformers who straighten out the chaos and corruption in our society, and doers who share and implement the values of freedom, peace, human rights, life, and a sustainable environment in order to bring prosperity to the district. I firmly believe that our people and leaders are capable of achieving the peace that has not been attained before. We can build a world without violence if we have the passion and the tears to persuade the same. Let us show our potential and make this world beautiful and warm. Let us ignite the flame of life, the bright red candle that glows and illuminates life on earth.
Miss. Sarah Pangchopi
Peace Team Coordinator, Diphu,
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Tom Mangattuthazhe
Secretary, Diphu Citizens Peace Forum
Secretary, United Christian Forum
Secretary,Manja Christian Forum
Member,Northeast Peace Team
Mentor, Diphu Peace Team
Rector, Mission Home, Manja
Principal, Little Flower School, Manja
Correspondence
Bishop'sHouse
Diphu - 782460
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Palash Biswas
Pl Read:
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