The Lions International Peace Poster Contest 2025-2026 on the theme “Together As One,” organized by the Lions Club of Kohima, was successfully held on October 10, 2025, at the Red Cross Conference Hall in Kohima.
The annual global contest, conducted under the aegis of Lions Clubs International, encourages children aged between 11 and 13 to express their visions of peace through art, creativity, and positive competition.
A total of 11 schools from Kohima — Dainty Buds, Ministers’ Hill Baptist Higher Secondary School, Little Flower Higher Secondary School, Fernwood, Government High School New Market, Government Middle School Officer’s Hill, Mezhür Higher Secondary School, Model Higher Secondary School, Mezhür High Thizama, Bumblebee Inclusive School, and St. Mary’s Cathedral Higher Secondary School — participated in the event. Two students from each school represented their institution, one male and one female, except Little Flower Higher Secondary School, which sent two female students.
Hrüyia Irene of Little Flower Higher Secondary School won the first position, followed by Monote-o Ritse of Ministers’ Hill Baptist Higher Secondary School in second place and Mr. Vikusier Kuotsu of St. Mary’s Cathedral Higher Secondary School in third. The contest was judged by veteran artist Nicky Kire, a member of the East Asian Artist Forum, who praised the participants’ creativity and deep interpretation of the theme.
Two inclusive schools, Jo Foundation Inclusive School and Cherry Blossoms Inclusive School, took part in a non-competitive category to encourage students with diverse abilities. Ezewe Chirhah from Cherry Blossoms and Vikhopi Sakhrie from Jo Foundation presented impressive works under the same theme.
Chief Guest Col. Manoj Sankhyan, Commandant of 13 Assam Rifles, commended the young participants and highlighted the importance of unity and compassion in achieving peace. “Today, we are not just participating in an art competition; we are celebrating hope – hope painted with the colors of peace, compassion, and collaboration,” he said. He urged students to carry forward the message of peace, adding, “True peace begins in our hearts and finds expression in our actions, big or small.”
Lion Oken Jeet Sandham, President of the Lions Club of Kohima, expressed gratitude to participating schools and announced plans to expand future editions to include more institutions. Guest of Honor Hmingthansanga, Program Executive of Doordarshan Kendra Nagaland, distributed the prizes.
Contest Chairperson Lion Max Marius Menuose-o explained that the top three winners from Kohima will compete at the regional and national levels, with finalists moving to the international round. The global winner will receive a major cash prize and citation, along with an invitation to attend the international award ceremony with a guardian.
Prominent attendees included National Teachers’ Awardee Mimi Yhoshü and NCPEDP-Mphasis Universal Design Award recipient Kopele V. Tepa.