By Fr. Felix Anthony –
Bishop George Pallipparambil of Miao Diocese in east Arunachal Pradesh received the 8th International Human Rights Award – 2108 in a glittering function held at the India Islamic Centre auditorium, New Delhi on 9 December 2018.
Celebrating the International Human Rights Day, the All India Council of Human Rights, Liberties and Social Justice (AICHLS) honoured host of awardees from India and abroad for their unique contribution to uphold human rights and social justice.
Bishop Pallipparambil of Miao Diocese was honoured with 8th International Human Rights Award for his unique contribution to the field of education and healthcare among the tribal people of eastern part of Arunachal Pradesh, where he has served for the last 40 years.
Speaking on the occasion as Chief Guest former Supreme Court Judge, Justice Joseph Kurien stressed that everyone today has a moral responsibility to stand for the human rights of the least, the last and the lost.“While interpreting the provisions of the law we concentrate so much on the constitutional morality, but it is high time that we concentrate on the constitutional compassion as well”, he said, addressing an audience of 200 people from around the country. “The greatest threat I perceive for the people to enjoy this human right is the silence, neutrality and indifference on the part of the lawmen. The silence of the lawmen does more harm to the society thanthe violence of the laymen”, he added congratulating the awardees and calling on everyone to stand up and to speak up for the cause of others.
Accepting the award, Bishop George said this honour is not for him but for all those people who live in the last, least, and lost part of Arunachal Pradesh. “This award, I hope, will give some visibility to my people in the last villages of Arunachal Pradesh”, he said.
This is the second Award Bishop George has received this year. In the month of April, the Sanskriti Yuva Sanstha honoured him with Bahrat Gaurav Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution in the field of education, healthcare, culture, environment and development of the local people of Arunachal Pradesh.
Working in Arunachal Pradesh for the last 40 years, Bishop George has established 46 schools, catering to the educational needs of 18000 poor tribal children, 85 boarding for boys and girls, 17 dispensaries, one hospital, one bachelor degree college, and one vocational training centre for school dropouts – all of them in the last villages, bordering Myanmar and China.
“It has been my joy to work in this very remote eastern most corner of India with people belonging to various tribes. I accept this award with all my humility on their behalf”, said Bishop George at the end of the award function.
The Church in Northeast India in general and Arunachal in particular is extremely proud of Bishop George’s achievements.