Manipur boy to receive Peace Poster Prize at the United Nations on March 18
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, March 16 2011: Eleven year old Manipur boy, Raj Phairembam is the proud recipient of this year's grand prize in the Lions International Peace Poster Contest.

He left Imphal to receive the award on Friday, March 18 .

A trophy, a citation and a cash award of US$5,000 will be presented to him on 'Lions Day' in the United Nations in New York, a source of the Lion Clubs International said.

Raj said when he found out that he had won, he was overwhelmed with disbelief and excitement.

He was quoted as saying "We live in different continents but our feelings are the same.

We want to be where there is peace.

We don't want to be where there is violence and war.

We want a kingdom of peace where love prevails and where we can enjoy the freedom to play fearlessly with our friends � be it an American, an African, a European, an Australian or an Asian" .

An estimated 3,50,000 children, all between the ages of 11, 12 and 13 in 70 countries around the world, participated in this year's contest.

His poster was chosen for its originality, artistic merit and portrayal of this year's contest theme, "Vision of Peace" .

Lions Clubs International President Sid L Scruggs III said, "I commend Raj and all these young people for sharing their personal visions of peace with the world around them.

They are truly beacons of hope for us all" .

Lions created the Peace Poster Contest to foster a spirit of peace and international understanding in young people worldwide.

"It is a proud moment for us and our young boy Raj, who has become grand prize winner of the Peace Poster Contest," said Animesh Baruah, the Lions district governor who oversees Lions clubs in northeastern India, including the sponsoring club of Moirang.

In addition to the grand prize winner, 23 merit award winners have been announced.

This year's merit winners are from Argentina, Canada, China, India, Indonesia, Italy, Korea, Malta, Mexico, Nepal, Nigeria, New Zealand, Spain, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, the United States (California, Florida, Hawaii, Massachusetts and Virginia) and Uruguay.

The merit winners will each receive US$500 and a certificate of achievement.

After being exhibited at the 94th annual Lions Clubs International Convention in Seattle, Washington, USA, this July, the 24 winning Peace Posters will be shown throughout the year at children's museums and various locations throughout the United States.

The posters will also be featured on the Lions Clubs International Web site, www.lionsclubs.org, where visitors can learn more about the contest and send Peace Poster e-cards.

Lions Clubs International is the world's largest service club organization with 1.35 million members in more than 45,000 clubs in 206 countries and geographic areas around the world.

Since 1917, Lions clubs have aided the blind and visually impaired and made a strong commitment to community service and serving youth throughout the world.

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