Archbishop Emeritus Thomas Menamparampil of Guwahati, who turned 90 on October 22, received the Peace Award 2026 in recognition of his decades of work in conflict resolution, reconciliation, and interreligious dialogue in Northeast India.
The award was presented during the 19th Peace Knit Fest at the Peace Centre in Chümoukedima, Nagaland, which also marked the 20th anniversary of the Peace Channel, a youth-led peacebuilding initiative.
Archbishop Menamparampil, a Salesian, was recognized for his grassroots approach to mediation and his efforts to bridge divisions among communities in the culturally and ethnically diverse northeastern region of India.
His peacebuilding work gained prominence during the 1996 ethnic violence in Kokrajhar, Assam, which displaced hundreds of thousands of people. He helped establish the Joint Ecumenical Peace Team, also known as the Joint Peace Mission, which facilitated dialogue among conflicting communities across the region.
Nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2011, he later received the Ambassador for Peace Award and the Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam World Peace Award in 2023. He has continued his peacebuilding efforts since retiring as archbishop.
In his acceptance speech, Archbishop Menamparampil thanked the Peace Channel and its director, Fr. C. P. Anto, and emphasized empathy as essential to resolving conflicts. Drawing inspiration from Mahatma Gandhi, he identified perseverance, selfless service, compassion, and cooperation across communities as foundations for peace.
He urged participants to listen to marginalized communities and recognize their responsibility in preventing violence.
Shri Kevekha Kevin Zehol, chairman of the Nagaland Staff Selection Board, who attended as chief guest, highlighted the region's cultural and linguistic diversity and acknowledged the Catholic Church's contribution to education. He said the archbishop's work demonstrated the connection between peace, social justice, and grassroots cooperation.
Bishop James Thoppil of Kohima, the guest of honor, called for inner harmony and greater public service, urging participants to help rebuild divisions in society through dialogue and solidarity.
Fr. Anto, in his welcome address, reflected on the Peace Channel's 20-year journey and encouraged young people to resist hatred and division and work for lasting peace across Northeast India.
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