The Hope Alive Award

Honoring Those Who Keep the Flame of Hope Burning

The Hope Alive Award is a signature initiative launched in 2024 as an extension of the non-profit Touch of Hope Foundation, which has long championed community excellence through its Keep Hope Alive Awards. In partnership with Lamka – City of Hope, this collaboration gave rise to a renewed and elevated civic recognition program designed to celebrate compassion, leadership, and the spirit of service across the wider community.

Building upon the Foundation’s established legacy, the Hope Alive Award represents both an evolution and an expansion — a broader, community-rooted commitment to honoring individuals and organizations who uplift lives, inspire hope, and strengthen the social fabric of Lamka. Through this united platform, Touch of Hope Foundation and Lamka – City of Hope together reaffirm their shared mission: to recognize those who keep hope alive and to nurture a culture of service, humanity, and collective progress.

Hope Alive Awards 2024  : A Landmark Celebration

The inaugural Hope Alive Awards 2024, held on 21st December 2024 at the EBC Centenary Auditorium, New Lamka, marked a defining milestone in Lamka’s civic and humanitarian landscape. It was the first recognition program of its kind in the region — a community-based celebration that sought not only to acknowledge excellence but also to ignite a culture of gratitude, service, and shared responsibility.

More than an award ceremony, the event was a heartfelt gathering of citizens, community leaders, professionals, and institutions united by a common belief: that hope grows stronger when we honor those who serve.

Purpose, Vision, and Spirit

The Hope Alive Award was instituted to recognize individuals, organizations, and community groups whose dedication, resilience, and compassion have left a meaningful imprint on society. The initiative reflects Lamka City of Hope’s vision — to spotlight the changemakers who embody courage, sacrifice, and humanity during times of challenge and transformation.

Each year, the Hope Alive Awards reaffirm our belief that the true strength of Lamka lies in its people — in their generosity, courage, and unwavering commitment to the common good. These awards shine a light on the remarkable contributions of those who rise above hardship, embody compassion in action, and demonstrate visionary leadership. By honoring their service, we celebrate the values that unite us and the shared aspirations that guide Lamka’s journey as a City of Hope.

Purpose of the Hope Alive Awards

Through this annual recognition, Lamka: City of Hope seeks to:

• Celebrate the spirit of service and leadership

By acknowledging individuals and organizations whose selfless work has brought meaningful, lasting change. Their integrity and dedication inspire us to recognize service as the highest form of leadership.

• Encourage civic responsibility and community-driven solutions

By highlighting grassroots initiatives that emerge from within the community itself. These solutions—practical, compassionate, and local—prove that collective responsibility is key to sustainable development.

• Strengthen unity across diverse groups and sectors

By bringing together various communities, institutions, and associations in a shared acknowledgement of excellence. Through unity and collaboration, we build a stronger, more inclusive Lamka.

• Inspire younger generations to lead with compassion

By presenting role models who embody resilience, creativity, and empathy. Their journeys encourage our youth to dream boldly, act with kindness, and serve with purpose.

• Reaffirm Lamka’s identity as a City of Hope

By celebrating a community that stands together, overcomes adversity, and continually strives toward harmony, opportunity, and dignity for all.

A Day of Reflection, Inspiration, and Unity

The 2024 celebration unfolded in two meaningful sessions:

Session, I began with the arrival and registration of the awardees, followed by an intimate interactive gathering. Here, honorees shared deeply personal stories — their journeys, struggles, turning points, and their visions for a better, more compassionate community. This session created a unique space for reflection and connection, allowing participants to learn from one another and draw strength from shared experiences.

Session II opened with an invocation by Rev. Liankhanlal, Secretary, SBCA, followed by tributes to martyrs and frontline volunteers who had served the community with extraordinary courage.
The formal program included:

• A warm welcome address by Albert Renthlei, Vice President, Lamka City of Hope
• A brief video presentation introducing the mission and work of Lamka City of Hope
• A keynote address by Dr. Chinkholal Thangsing, President of Lamka City of Hope, emphasizing compassion, civic duty, and the call for collective transformation
• The official Award Ceremony honoring individuals and organizations for leadership, resilience, innovation, and selfless service
• Release of the Awardee Profiles
• A vote of thanks by C.T. Lian Guite, Secretary, Hope Alive Award Committee for 2024.

The program concluded with a closing prayer and light refreshments, leaving participants with a renewed sense of purpose and a deep appreciation for the impact that one dedicated individual or group can create.

Legacy and the Path Forward

The Hope Alive Awards 2024 did more than celebrate excellence — it symbolized a collective awakening. For the first time, Lamka publicly recognized and honored those who illuminate the path of progress, healing, and hope. This inaugural ceremony has now set a new benchmark for civic appreciation and community development. Lamka - City of Hope envisions the Hope Alive Award as an annual tradition — a living testament to the belief that hope is not merely an idea but a force carried forward by people who dare to serve. Through this initiative, Lamka continues to grow not only in resilience but in character, empathy, and shared vision — shaping its emergence as a true City of Hope.

HOPE ALIVE AWARD – NOMINATION GUIDELINES

The Hope Alive Award honors individuals whose lives and work embody the highest ideals of service, leadership, and compassion. These guidelines outline the key principles and criteria for nominating deserving candidates.

Purpose of the Award

The Hope Alive Award recognizes exemplary individuals who inspire hope through their integrity, humanitarian service, and long-standing contributions to community and society. The award seeks to celebrate those who uplift others, create meaningful change, and lead with values that strengthen humanity

Eligibility

Nominees may come from any field—community service, public life, civil society, education, health, arts, culture, or professional sectors. They must demonstrate a proven record of positive impact and exceptional personal character.

Key Criteria for Nomination

1. Integrity and Ethics: Upholding honesty, transparency, fairness, and moral courage in daily life and professional conduct.
2. Service to Others / Giving Back: Actively contributing to the welfare of individuals and communities through compassion, humanitarian work, or selfless service.
3. Sustainability and Long-Term Contribution: Demonstrating enduring impact through initiatives or leadership that continue to benefit society over time.
4. Leadership in Values: Leading by example through humility, justice, inclusivity, and respect for human dignity; inspiring others through principled living.
5. Innovation and Creativity: Introducing new approaches, solutions, or ideas that help strengthen communities or improve lives.
6. Courage and Resilience: Exhibiting exceptional strength in overcoming challenges while remaining committed to service and positive change.
7. Community Impact and Influence: Making clear, measurable contributions to community well-being, unity, development, or peacebuilding.
8. Professional Excellence: Demonstrating outstanding dedication, competence, and achievement within one’s profession.
9. Empowerment and Capacity Building: Uplifting others by creating opportunities, mentoring youth, and strengthening local capacity.
10. Inclusivity and Social Justice: Advocating for fairness, equality, and dignity for all—especially marginalized or vulnerable groups.
11. Vision and Strategic Contribution: Providing leadership guided by foresight, insight, and a commitment to long-term transformational change.
12. Cultural Preservation and Promotion: Protecting, promoting, or celebrating cultural heritage, identity, and the arts.

A Word from Hope Alive Award Committee 2024

The Hope Alive Award Committee is honored to present the 2024 Roll of Honor, recognizing individuals and organizations whose unwavering service, courage, and compassion have brought light to our community in times of challenge. Each recipient embodies the true spirit of the Hope Alive Award — a commitment to humanity, integrity, and the collective upliftment of Lamka.

This inaugural list stands not only as a record of excellence but as a testament to what is possible when ordinary citizens choose to do extraordinarily good. May their stories continue to inspire generations to serve with humility, lead with conviction, and keep hope alive in every sphere of life.