Skip to content Skip to navigation

Archbishop, Academicians, Activists join forces to promote peace

Guwahati, 22 October 2021: A group of academicians and social activists came together under the leadership of the archbishop emeritus of Guwahati to promote peace at a time when the whole of Brahmaputra Valley is “in search of peace”. 

The occasion was the release of an Assamese language book entitled Hanti Bisari (In Search of Peace) written by Archbishop Thomas Menamparampil.

The original work in the English language was translated into Assamese by a civil society leader, Mr. Paresh Malakar.

The book-release turned out to be a social-discussion session in which the need for mutual understanding between communities was emphasised. A reputed intellectual of Assam, Mr. Hiren Gohain released the book at Guwahati Press Club on 22 October 2021.

Archbishop Thomas says, “Prof. Satyakam Borthakur of the University of Dibrugarh had helped in the compilation of texts from original Assamese authors. So, the book turns out the product many hands, coming out precisely at a time when the whole of Brahmaputra Valley is ‘in search of peace’”. 

The compilation of the book was initiated with the encouragement of Mr. Nagen Saikia, the most respected living Assamese author in the state, with whom Archbishop Menamparampil has always maintained intellectual closeness. 

Civil society leader Dr. Indrani Dutta appreciated the timeliness and relevance of the publication, just when mutual fear and suspicion between communities are being promoted by self-interested groups.  

Another social activist Dr. M. P. Bezbarua urged a secular outlook in society in these troubled times saying, “religion was being misused by motivated people in the Northeastern region where tolerance and collaboration always prevailed.”

Smti. Kusum Mokasi referred to an instance when perfect peace was maintained in her neighbourhood soon after the fall of Babri Masjid because of the initiative of individuals who were committed to social harmony. “Peace.” she says,  “is a gift that we offer to each other.” 

Activist Mr. Santanu Borthakur emphasized the importance of cultivating values that assist communities in times of crisis. 

Mr. Promode Doley, a social activist, insisted that attention should be paid to the issue of justice as well, while working for peace, lest pacifism turns out to be mere coverup of evident unfairness. 

Archbishop Menamparampil pointed out that “someone who differs from you is not an enemy or even an opponent; he/she is merely inviting you to rethink and to revise your ideas; he only stimulates your thought. And no matter how different we are among ourselves by culture, religion or political vision, we still BELONG to each other. An awareness of our co-belongingness is the door to peace.”

While Mr. Amrit Goldsmith of the Baptist Church summarised some of the important points, Mr. Paresh Malakar called for a continued discussion on the issues that were raised during the session, so that this book-release does not end up as a passing event, but rather the beginning of a healthy debate on inter-community relationships.  

Add new comment

Random Stories

Vaani, in service of hearing impaired

23 Apr 2012 - 2:28am | Daya Nath Singh
One out of every 1000 children born, is born deaf. An undiagnosed deaf child at 3 years of age will know about 25 words, compared to over 1000 words for a hearing child of the same age. Eighty one...

Media Trust organises Workshop-cum-training

26 Oct 2007 - 8:48am | pbaruah
Media Trust is organizing a four-day national workshop-cum-training on ‘Preservation and Digital Conservation Methods of Newspapers, Magazines and Archival Materials’ with reference to...

Dacoit died in Nagaon gangwar

22 Apr 2018 - 2:27pm | Dibya J Borthakur
RAHA: A dreaded dacoit died and another sustained serious injury when a gang war took place in Nagaon on Sunday. The incident took place at Nagabandha in the wee hours where a group of armed...

Bob Dylan’s Birth Day celebration in Guwahati

27 May 2011 - 12:29am | Peter Alex Todd
Legendry Poet, singer and composer Bob Dylan was given a salute by fans on his 7Oth Birth Day at Café Hendrix, organized by “The great Dylan society” (Guwahati Chapter) in Guwahati,...

Other Contents by Author

Guwahati, 24th February 2021: For the first time in Northeast India an Ambulance cum Mobile Eye Clinic was launched on 24th February, 2021.  Rtd. Director of Regional Institute of Ophthalmology, Guwahati, Dr. C. K. Barua inaugurated the mobile unit and Provincial of the Salesian Province of Guwahati, Fr. Januarius Sangma blessed the unit.   Dr. Barua in his impassioned speech said, “This Mobile Eye Clinic is a new beginning, as this is the first mobile eye unit that provides such range of services”.   Speaking at the inaugural function, Programme Coordinator – Health, Bosco Reach Out Mr. Probal S.G, said, “This Mobile Eye Clinic was a result of the...
Guwahati: Salesian Province of Guwahati inaugurated Don Bosco Bharosa, the Migrant Desk, on 24th February 2021. “Bharosa in Hindi language means trust and Don Bosco Brand is trusted by both job seekers and job providers,” says director of Bosco Reach Out Fr Jayaprakash. On the working of Migrant Desk Fr. Jayapraksh explains “Our North Eastern desks will network with similar desks in others parts of the country. As the migrant youth from North East India are spread out in all major cities of India, the main objective of Don Bosco Bharosa will be to provide safe migration to the youth of North East India. If the migrant youth of our region face any problem in any part of the country...
Guwahati, 22 February 2021: Bosco Reach Out, a Guwahati based rural development NGO distributed 80 handlooms and accessories for trained artisans at Lengopara area in Goalpara district of Assam, 22 February 2021. The distribution programme was part of BRO’s on ongoing project SFRUTI supported by Ministry of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Govt. of India.  “We have distributed 80 Jacqard looms and accessories among the beneficiaries for their income generating activities to ensure their sustainable livelihood,” says BRO Executive director Fr. A. Jayaprakash. He urged recipients to work hard and produce quality product to achieve the objectives of the project. The...
A Radio journalist working with the first community radio in the Darjeeling Hills has staked his claim and snatched a place in the India Book of Records, 28 September 2020. Program Coordinator and founder member of Radio Salesian, the first Nepali language broadcasting Community Radio in India, RJ Samir Chhetri, a native of Sonada has secured his place in the book of records. The India Book of Records states, “RJ Samir is the first RJ of the first community radio run by a college in North Bengal and entire northeast India.” “This recognition of RJ Samir is a matter of pride for our community radio and inspiration for younger radio journalists to make their mark,” says station...
Kolkata, 23 August 2020 — A Kolkata artist has come up with a new genre song dedicated to Mother Teresa of Calcutta to mark the saints 110th birthday, 26 August 1910. The new genre is called Folktronica - a type of music comprising various elements of folk music and electronica, often featuring uses of acoustic instruments – especially stringed instruments – and incorporating hip hop, electronic or dance rhythms, although it varies based on influences and choice of sounds. Made in the pandemic’s lock down times Korak Day of Kolkata calls it “Solo Song Film Art” entitled Nirmal Hriday - an English Bangla music video dedicated to all who volunteered for Mother Teresa’s Works and helped...
Agartala: A Salesian Sisters’ school in northeast India has come up with a novel idea to stay connected with children during the Covid-19 lockdown times. The Sisters reach Monday school assembly to children’s homes through social media. The idea was born, on the feast day of their foundress St. Mary Mazzarello, 13 May, 2020. Almost 50 days since the Lockdown due to Covid 19, and the Sisters missed the children – both boarders and day scholars, who used to be so much of their life.  “Our community and the entire environment used to be filled with joy and happiness, of fun and laughter and youthfulness,” recalls Sr. Albrida, Principal of Auxilium Girls School Agartala, capital of...
Radio Salesian (90.8) - The voice of the Hills - run by Salesian College Sonada has been selected as a partner in raising awareness about COVID-19 in a national project sponsored by UNICEF. Titled ‘Mission Corona’, the five-month initiative will feature a 25-minute weekly programme in Nepali language that will focus on issues related to the usage of masks, home quarantine, physical distancing, building immune system, and elderly care, among others. “During this unprecedented public health emergency, as community radio, we can inform and educate people on the impending danger of the pandemic through ‘Mission Corona,’” says station director, Fr. C.M. Paul.  With a transmitter...
Guwahati: The Indian Catholic Press Association (ICPA) will honour noted peace activist Archbishop Thomas Menamparampil, conferring its prestigious annual ‘Louis Careno Award for Excellence in journalism’ for his bold writings against communalism and fundamentalism that is gaining ground globally. The Award will be conferred on the Archbishop by former Supreme Court judge Justice Kurien Joseph, during the 25th National Convention of Christian Journalists, organized by the ICPA, scheduled to be held in Delhi, on 29 February 2020.  “Archbishop Menamparampil’s name is synonymous with peace, inter-community dialogue and social harmony. His incisive, thought-provoking writings on...
Over a conversation between the legendary tea planter Mr Rajah Banerjee of Rimpaocha Tea Siliguri and Campus Minister at Salesian College Sonada Fr. C.M. Paul on the impending peril of adolescent females being trafficked from the closed tea gardens in the Darjeeling Hills was born the Industry-College Partnership to provide skill training. “Education and skill training is the only solution, to prevent them [girls] from falling easy prey to stalking flesh traders who lure the unsuspecting girls with false promises of quick bucks and better future outside,” says Salesian College Principal Dr. (Fr.) George Thadathil. Mr Banerjee who calls Makaibari the first tea estate to go organic his...
Guwahati:  The Delhi-based International Human Rights Council has announced an “Ambassador for Peace” Award for retired Archbishop Thomas Menamparampil of Guwahati. The Award will be conferred on 9th December 2019 in New Delhi in the presence of invitees from all over the country and abroad. One of the earlier recipients of the Award is the Dalai Lama among many other internationally known figures. International Human Rights Council is one of the world’s leading independent organizations dedicated to defending and protecting human rights. By focusing international attention where human rights are violated, the organization gives voice to the oppressed and hold oppressors accountable...