IFM honours two leaders with peaceful coexistence award

Imphal:  The Interfaith Forum Manipur (IFM) conferred its first Annual Peaceful Coexistence Award 2026 to Rev. (Dr.) Vumthang Sitlhou, President, Thadou Baptist Association of India (TBAI) & Former Gen Secy, Manipur Baptist Convention (MBC), and Bhaktisvarupa Swami Damodara, founder of Mani Mandir, ISKCON Temple and pioneer in interfaith spirituality in Manipur, posthumously, on the occasion of the 3rd Foundation Day of IFM on Friday, June 5.

The function brought together about one hundred participants, including religious leaders, scholars, lawyers, and members of various faith communities, to reaffirm their commitment to peace, harmony, and mutual understanding, creating a democratic space for peace that everyone longed for.

The function was graced by Thokchom Satyabrata Singh, Speaker of the Manipur Legislative Assembly and Vice President of Sri Sri Govindaji Temple Board, as the Chief Guest, while Sandham Gandharaj, Member Secretary, Lainingthou Sanamahi Temple Board (LSTB), attended as the Guest of Honour. The programme was presided over by Aribam Brajakumar Sharma, Founding Member of IFM and President of MCIC.

Notable among the special invitees present on the occasion were Ashok Atale (Vivekananda Kendra), Swami Gopalkrishnananda (Divine Life Society), Shri K. Brajamani Sharma (SSGTB), Mandeep and Charanjit Singh (Sikh Samaj), Roopchand and Manoj (Jain Samaj), Advocate S. Rabindra, Acharya Leihaothabam Saratchandra Sharma, and Nanao (India Peace Centre, Manipur Chapter).

Addressing the gathering, the speakers highlighted the importance of interfaith dialogue, mutual respect, and peaceful coexistence in strengthening the social fabric of Manipur. They emphasized that unity amidst diversity remains essential for building a peaceful and prosperous society and expressed their willingness to support IFM in their respective capacities.

The first Annual IFM Peaceful Coexistence Award Manipur 2026 was conferred posthumously upon His Holiness Swami Bhaktisvarupa (Dr.) Damodara and Rev. Dr. Vumthang Sitlhou in recognition of their exemplary contributions towards promoting interfaith harmony, reconciliation, peacemaking, and peaceful coexistence in Manipur. The awards were handed over to Prabhu Banamali of ISKCON and Archbishop Linus Neli of the Catholic Diocese of Imphal, respectively.

The award carries a Citation, IFM Lengyan, and Rs. 10,000 as peace money to honour individuals whose lives and work have inspired understanding and cooperation among diverse communities.

Acharya Kh. Nepolean, founder of One Consciousness Foundation, delivered the welcome address and highlighted the importance of peace as the foundation for the spiritual growth of every individual.

Acharya Deben Bachaspatimayum, Convener of IFM, presented the Annual Report, stating that the interfaith initiative is a continuation of the composite cultural heritage of Manipur, where diverse religions have enriched a unique culture of interfaith understanding and peaceful coexistence.

He highlighted the launch of IFM’s locally sponsored One-Year Youth Peacebuilding Fellowship Programme aimed at producing 100 young peacebuilding professionals across religious and ethnic communities; the foundation stone laying at the Lainingthou Sanamahi Temple Complex for a World Peace Centre Manipur; and an initiative for a public discourse on “Politics as Freedom from Violence from Theological and Philosophical Perspectives” as an attempt to separate violence from politics as a sacred human affair.

Underlining that peace is the intrinsic value of every individual and religion, he stated that the responsibility for building local capacities for peace also lies with every individual, every religion, and the government elected by the people. He concluded his report by inviting five youth peacebuilding fellows to share their transformative experiences through IFM’s fellowship programme.

The celebration concluded with a renewed pledge by participants to work collectively for peace, understanding, and communal harmony across Manipur.