Guwahati: Father (Dr) John Parankimalil, SDB, Principal of Don Bosco College of Teacher Education, Tura was awarded with the Global Education Excellence Award, 2016.
Prime Time Research Media Private Limited awarded Father Johny, as he is popularly known, under the category, “Best Principal for Teacher Teaching Institute in Meghalaya.” The award was conferred at New Delhi.
In a glittering function held in the B Ed college on the occasion of the felicitation of this years’ university toppers, this award along with citation were presented to Father John by Father Guillermo Basańes, Extra Ordinary Visitor to the Province of Guwahati and the General Councilor for Missions.
Father V.M. Thomas, Salesians’ Guwahati Provincial, Father Johnson Parackal, provincial councilor and In Charge of Youth Pastoral, Education and Culture and Father Joseph Teron, Provincial Councilor, besides teachers and teacher-trainees of DBCTE attended the April 20 program.
Father Johny’s contribution to Education has been recognized in the past and many awards were given to him such as Computer Excellence Awards for Schools when he was the Principal of St. Anthony’s Higher Secondary School, Shillong from Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, President of India in 2002 and in 2009 Gems Foundation’s Best Teacher Award (East Zone) from Shri Kapil Sibal, HRD Union Minister.
More recently in 2014 and 2015, the Government of Meghalaya awarded him with State award of ‘Pioneer of Education’ (2015) and Mission Green Award (2015) from the hands of the Chief Minister, Dr. Mukul Sangma.
“We are the true witnesses of the dynamic leadership and innovative ideas of Father P.D. John,” one of the teachers said. “We are all being transformed by his motivational leadership and we are determined to change the lives of our trainees and the young people in our schools,“ the teacher continued.
During the felicitation program another teacher viewed his opinion. “Our institute has a variety of students from different ethnic backgrounds and Father P.D. Johny has managed to make us all into one family focused on excellence in studies and future leadership. We appreciate his care for each student and is always ready to go the extra mile in helping us and inspiring us to reach for the star and excel not only in academics but in managing life skills. We are blessed and honored to work under his charismatic and influential leadership,“ he said.
A citation and a memento were presented to Father Johnny on the occasion.