Bruce K. Thangkhal
New Delhi, May 23, 2010: Over 100 key Christian leaders from different communities of Meitei, Chin, Kuki, Mizo, Zomi and Naga joined hands in prayer for peace in Manipur at the Apostles’ Methodist Church here on May 22. The Meitei Christian churches in different parts of Manipur also held prayer meetings yesterday and today.
The economic blockade of the two national highways for over 40 days, have severely affected the common and innocent people living in hills and valleys of Manipur. Fear psychosis has now developed among the people. Manipur is a home to nearly 40 ethnic tribes belonging to different religions and linguistic communities.
This prayer campaign for peace in Manipur was initiated by All India Christian Council with a theme of “Blessed are the Peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God (Matthew 5:9).” Also emphazing on the holy scriptures (II Chronicles 7:14): “If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” Many Christians from overseas visitors and Delhi also joined the prayer meeting. The coordinators of All India Christian Council’s Delhi chapter were also present in the meeting
With many efforts prominent persons from Manipur, Nagaland and other states also attended the programme. Among them were: Pastor M. Moyonsing, Tangkhul Christian Fellowship Delhi; Rev. Ngapuni, Secretary, Poumei Naga Theological Association Manipur; Rev. Ambika Hongsha, Director, Paul India Mission Delhi & Manipur; Pastor Sanjiv Ailawadi, New Generation Church Delhi; Rev. John, Coordinator, Indian Evangelical Team Delhi; Rev. G. K. Joshua, Zomi Christian Fellowship; Rev. Letlal Haokip, Kuki Worship Service Delhi; Pastor T. Lalpu, MELCD; Shri Lalchungliana, President, Leaders for Mission; Evan. Totong Haokip, Founder, Care & Concern Ministry; Shri Thangboi, Caretaker, The Last Resort Delhi; Smt. Chinglian, Chairperson, ZCF Women Department; Smt. Honring Rungsung, Home Missionary, Tangkhul Church Delhi; Smt. Lansinglu, Lawyer, Supreme Court; Shri Vipin M. Benjamin, Advocate & Member of Human Rights & Law Network Delhi; Rev. T. Liankholal, Delhi Presbyterian Church (PCI/R); Shri Ginlalchung, Shri Manglian and Shri Kaithang, Secretary, EBCC Delhi & Director of Finance, Emmanuel Hospital Association Delhi.
The programme was a successfully beginning of prayer campaign for peace in Manipur. Various Christian leaders representing different tribes of Manipur along with Christian leaders in Delhi and national capital regions - Gurgaon, Noida, Faridabad and Ghaziabad took part in carrying out the prayer movement for peace in Manipur, Nagaland and India.
A theological student, Totong Haokip, who had worked 15 years among the slum dwellers in Delhi tearfully urged the gatherings, “In Manipur, all the community has tribal mentality which is the greatest stumbling block for maintaining peace. Most of the Christian denominations are based on this principle which led to enmity among us. Let’s pray to our God to remove such egotism. There are still many places in our country which needs the gospel of Christ. Let’s remember, God looks the inside not the outside appearance.”
Remarkably, people of various tribes namely, Rongmei, Mizo, Kuki, Zaliangrong, Tangkhul Naga, Meitei, Vaiphei, Hmar, Zou, Paite, Gangte, etc. shed their tears in prayers on the occasion in favour of restoring a lasting peace and tranquility in the state Manipur.
The prayer items include: Prayer for Manipur, Nagaland & Central government; for Political Leaders; Students Unions; NGOs/Civil organizations; Authorities of Villages, Towns and City; for Churches, Association & Conventions; Current issues, and for Love, Peace, Friendship and Harmony among all the people of Manipur. During all these prayers, many of the peace-lovers earnestly prayed to Almighty God for Peace and Harmony in the unstable state of Manipur as well as in the Northeast regions.
“This prayer meeting was really a very significant step taken by our leaders. Now, I hope that peace and love will flourish among the diverse communities of Manipur and Nagaland. This is my constant prayer since Manipur appeared in the newspaper,” said Mr. Lamboi Suantak, Assistant Secretary, ZCF Youth Department, Delhi.
While one of the northeast ladies, Hahat Zou, who hails from Churachandpur working in Gurgaon’s Soul Cabin shop for the past five years shared her wishes: “Though I could not attend the prayer. I have been praying for peace in Manipur since March. We, the Christians have to play our roles in such situation. By only prayers we can heal Manipur. We should pray ceaselessly.” Miss Hat is well known for her helpful attitudes towards the northeast youngsters in getting jobs in Gurgaon.
Programme Convener Rev. Madhu Chandra fervently urged the people that we need God's guidance and wisdom to Central, Manipur Government and Civil bodies to bring the amicable solution, so that normal life will return to Manipur and peace, love, justice and harmony will prevail among all sections of societies. EBCC Delhi Pastor V. Nenglian had the closing prayer.
The ethnic Diasporas from Manipur living in Delhi also felt the importance of all the ethnics tribes from Manipur, living in Delhi and NCR have to realize the role in bringing peace in Manipur. They also decided to conduct a regular prayer meeting in Manipur and Delhi in the coming days.
New Delhi, May 23, 2010: Over 100 key Christian leaders from different communities of Meitei, Chin, Kuki, Mizo, Zomi and Naga joined hands in prayer for peace in Manipur at the Apostles’ Methodist Church here on May 22. The Meitei Christian churches in different parts of Manipur also held prayer meetings yesterday and today.
The economic blockade of the two national highways for over 40 days, have severely affected the common and innocent people living in hills and valleys of Manipur. Fear psychosis has now developed among the people. Manipur is a home to nearly 40 ethnic tribes belonging to different religions and linguistic communities.
This prayer campaign for peace in Manipur was initiated by All India Christian Council with a theme of “Blessed are the Peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God (Matthew 5:9).” Also emphazing on the holy scriptures (II Chronicles 7:14): “If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” Many Christians from overseas visitors and Delhi also joined the prayer meeting. The coordinators of All India Christian Council’s Delhi chapter were also present in the meeting
With many efforts prominent persons from Manipur, Nagaland and other states also attended the programme. Among them were: Pastor M. Moyonsing, Tangkhul Christian Fellowship Delhi; Rev. Ngapuni, Secretary, Poumei Naga Theological Association Manipur; Rev. Ambika Hongsha, Director, Paul India Mission Delhi & Manipur; Pastor Sanjiv Ailawadi, New Generation Church Delhi; Rev. John, Coordinator, Indian Evangelical Team Delhi; Rev. G. K. Joshua, Zomi Christian Fellowship; Rev. Letlal Haokip, Kuki Worship Service Delhi; Pastor T. Lalpu, MELCD; Shri Lalchungliana, President, Leaders for Mission; Evan. Totong Haokip, Founder, Care & Concern Ministry; Shri Thangboi, Caretaker, The Last Resort Delhi; Smt. Chinglian, Chairperson, ZCF Women Department; Smt. Honring Rungsung, Home Missionary, Tangkhul Church Delhi; Smt. Lansinglu, Lawyer, Supreme Court; Shri Vipin M. Benjamin, Advocate & Member of Human Rights & Law Network Delhi; Rev. T. Liankholal, Delhi Presbyterian Church (PCI/R); Shri Ginlalchung, Shri Manglian and Shri Kaithang, Secretary, EBCC Delhi & Director of Finance, Emmanuel Hospital Association Delhi.
The programme was a successfully beginning of prayer campaign for peace in Manipur. Various Christian leaders representing different tribes of Manipur along with Christian leaders in Delhi and national capital regions - Gurgaon, Noida, Faridabad and Ghaziabad took part in carrying out the prayer movement for peace in Manipur, Nagaland and India.
A theological student, Totong Haokip, who had worked 15 years among the slum dwellers in Delhi tearfully urged the gatherings, “In Manipur, all the community has tribal mentality which is the greatest stumbling block for maintaining peace. Most of the Christian denominations are based on this principle which led to enmity among us. Let’s pray to our God to remove such egotism. There are still many places in our country which needs the gospel of Christ. Let’s remember, God looks the inside not the outside appearance.”
Remarkably, people of various tribes namely, Rongmei, Mizo, Kuki, Zaliangrong, Tangkhul Naga, Meitei, Vaiphei, Hmar, Zou, Paite, Gangte, etc. shed their tears in prayers on the occasion in favour of restoring a lasting peace and tranquility in the state Manipur.
The prayer items include: Prayer for Manipur, Nagaland & Central government; for Political Leaders; Students Unions; NGOs/Civil organizations; Authorities of Villages, Towns and City; for Churches, Association & Conventions; Current issues, and for Love, Peace, Friendship and Harmony among all the people of Manipur. During all these prayers, many of the peace-lovers earnestly prayed to Almighty God for Peace and Harmony in the unstable state of Manipur as well as in the Northeast regions.
“This prayer meeting was really a very significant step taken by our leaders. Now, I hope that peace and love will flourish among the diverse communities of Manipur and Nagaland. This is my constant prayer since Manipur appeared in the newspaper,” said Mr. Lamboi Suantak, Assistant Secretary, ZCF Youth Department, Delhi.
While one of the northeast ladies, Hahat Zou, who hails from Churachandpur working in Gurgaon’s Soul Cabin shop for the past five years shared her wishes: “Though I could not attend the prayer. I have been praying for peace in Manipur since March. We, the Christians have to play our roles in such situation. By only prayers we can heal Manipur. We should pray ceaselessly.” Miss Hat is well known for her helpful attitudes towards the northeast youngsters in getting jobs in Gurgaon.
Programme Convener Rev. Madhu Chandra fervently urged the people that we need God's guidance and wisdom to Central, Manipur Government and Civil bodies to bring the amicable solution, so that normal life will return to Manipur and peace, love, justice and harmony will prevail among all sections of societies. EBCC Delhi Pastor V. Nenglian had the closing prayer.
The ethnic Diasporas from Manipur living in Delhi also felt the importance of all the ethnics tribes from Manipur, living in Delhi and NCR have to realize the role in bringing peace in Manipur. They also decided to conduct a regular prayer meeting in Manipur and Delhi in the coming days.
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