Top honour for Indian partner

Mr K Asungba Sangtam, who is president of the Baptist Church Trust Association (BCTA) in Delhi, received the Padmashri award for his contribution to public affairs as part of India’s Republic Day celebrations on Monday (26 January).

Of Mr Sangtam’s achievement, Franklin Qureshi, the BMS Manager in Delhi and Secretary for BCTA, says, “This is really a spectacular event for the Baptist community in particular and Christian community as a whole”.

“Under his leadership, BCTA has achieved manifold goals. We are grateful to God for having a person like Mr Sangtam with us.”

David McLellan, BMS Acting Head for the Department of World Mission, says, “We are delighted that Mr Sangtam has been honoured in this prestigious way by the Government of India.

“For the past three years he has been President of the Baptist Church Trust Association and has worked closely with BMS staff in both India and UK, sharing his wisdom, integrity and enthusiasm, and leading BCTA to new levels of achievement.”

As an MP for the north eastern state of Nagaland, Mr Sangtam raised awareness of the problems of this troubled region, which has endured a long-running separatist campaign.