Elaisa Vahnie

10/16/2026

Kalay University – A Historic Milestone in Higher Education for Our People

One of the most memorable moments of my life was the honor of speaking at Kalay University Convocation Hall in 2016. I was told it was a historic occasion—the first speech delivered there since the 1988 uprising, nearly three decades earlier.

Standing before the students and faculty was a deeply meaningful experience, especially as I shared something I have always believed in:

Our greatest investment is in our children and young people. Education transforms lives, empowers communities, and builds a brighter, more peaceful, and prosperous future for generations to come.

As I look back nearly a decade later, I often wonder where those students are today and how their lives have changed.

If you were a student or faculty member at Kalay University at that time, I would love to reconnect and hear your story!

Investing in education is investing in the future of our people and our nation.

10/15/2026

Pleased to meet Honorable Senator Jessica Collins of the Australian Parliament, Chair of Foreign Affairs Committee, for a substantive discussion on advancing peace and democracy in Burma/Myanmar through a people-led initiative and stronger collaboration among the United States, Australia, and international partners.

We also emphasized humanitarian assistance, cross-border aid, refugee protection, durable solutions, and investment in education and future generations of leaders.

Together, we can help build a peaceful, democratic, and brighter future for Myanmar.

Update: Due to visa delays, our planned in-person visit to Australia needed be adjusted. We hope to reschedule the program later this year. Thank you, friends and supporters, for your prayers and good wishes!

10/11/2026

The mission shall continue to Australia.

10/09/2026

Congratulations to Navanethem “Navi” Pillay on receiving The Nobel Peace Prize for 2026!

The Norwegian Nobel Committee says Navi is honored for her efforts to promote peace and international law.

“a person who with exceptional courage and integrity has led the way towards a more comprehensive global legal order. This year’s laureate has been instrumental in ensuring that war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide are prosecuted.”

BREAKING NEWS
The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided to award the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize to Navanethem “Navi” Pillay for her efforts to promote peace and international law.

The Nobel Peace Prize for 2026 goes to a person who with exceptional courage and integrity has led the way towards a more comprehensive global legal order. This year’s laureate has been instrumental in ensuring that war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide are prosecuted.

Navi Pillay’s commitment to universal legal principles and her firm moral compass are constants in a long career. Born into a family of Indian Tamil origin under apartheid in Durban, South Africa, Pillay became a lawyer and legal pioneer, confronting deep structural discrimination, segregation and exclusion. A common thread runs from her early work defending Nelson Mandela and others who stood up against apartheid to her service as a judge in some of the key international court cases of our time.

This year’s laureate has significantly enlarged the scope and impact of international law. She has served as a judge on the High Court in South Africa, the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and the International Criminal Court. She was the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and, until recently, she chaired the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory. Today Navi Pillay is a judge on the International Court of Justice in the case where Myanmar stands accused of genocide.

In historic international court cases, she has shown that legal measures can help prevent acts of war and violence. Navi Pillay has also contributed to strengthen the institutions of international law. Her independence, expertise and steadfastness have made her one of the most respected international jurists of our time.

In awarding this year’s Nobel Peace Prize, the Norwegian Nobel Committee wants to remind the world that the rule of law – national and international – underpins the system we have set up to ensure peace and resolve conflicts non-violently. Peace requires justice.

History has shown that a world operating without the rule of law is unjust, unwise and inhumane. The judges – those who guard the thin red line between order and chaos – are therefore highly deserving of our praise. But today, as these same judges are sanctioned, and their institutions are attacked, we need people of courage, vision and determination – qualities that Navi Pillay demonstrates in her work on the bench.

Navi Pillay has held states and national leaders accountable and brought hope to victims of violence and conflict. In all the positions she has held, she has stressed the responsibility of individuals and states to comply with the rule of law. She has also helped define the relevant norms and legal principles. When the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda established that r**e and sexual violence could constitute a crime against humanity – as well as genocide – her influence was a significant factor. In the same case, Ms Pillay was instrumental in a separate legal breakthrough: for the first time, a defendant faced charges of incitement to commit genocide purely on the basis of spreading propaganda.

Navi Pillay is one of the great defenders of international legal principles in our time. Her distinguished career reminds us of the need to support, fortify and expand the global rule of law. Navi Pillay’s commitment to justice and human dignity is a source of hope and inspiration to all who seek to bring about a more peaceful world.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/4xPtmor

09/27/2026

It was a privilege and honor to share my vision for building a United Chin-Kuki-Mizo people at the historic USA ZOFATE UNITY CONFERENCE this past weekend in Indianapolis.

My message was simple: As Chin, Kuki, and Mizo people—one people—we have come together not only to celebrate what we have accomplished, but also to reflect on where we came from, where we are today, and where we are going.

I also shared the vision I believe God has given us and the strategy and plans needed to pursue that vision over 60 years—perhaps it may take even longer. Our aspiration is to build a peaceful, developed, and prosperous nation, grounded in the principles and spirit of the Panglong Agreement: Freedom, Equality, and Self-Determination.

May we continue to build unity, strengthen our brotherhood, and work together with faith, humility, and determination for the generations to come.

09/21/2026

20 Years of a Free and Independent Mission on C Street — Working for Peace, Prosperity, and a Better Future for the People.

09/20/2026

We were born to fight—not to surrender, but to endure and rise.

09/18/2026

In Memory of Rev. L. Mark (97)

A co-founder of Mara Thyutlia Py (MTP), the Mara Young Association in Northeast India and Western Burma.

Three years ago, I had the privilege of meeting him and spending meaningful time listening to his wisdom and learning from his life and leadership. He was a consequential leader for Christians and youth throughout the Mara Chin-Kuki-Mizo community.

His faith, leadership, and legacy will live on for generations to come.

May he rest in peace, and may God comfort his family and loved ones.

09/12/2026

We broke ground this week on the construction of our sports courts and parking lot—an important milestone in BACI’s vision of “Creating a HOME for ALL.”

We are deeply grateful to our many partners, supporters, and community members who have believed in this vision and stood alongside us throughout this journey. Together, we are building a campus designed to serve our shared community through meaningful and impactful programs, services, and opportunities for children, youth, families, seniors, newcomers, and the broader community.

We were honored by the presence of distinguished dignitaries, partners, and community leaders, including Senator Cindy Carrasco; Jordan Gathers, Deputy Mayor of the City of Indianapolis; Michael McKillip of United Way of Central Indiana; Dr. Virginia Caine, Director & Chief Medical Officer of the Marion County Public Health Department; Martin Baier, President & CEO of The International Center; as well as our elders, faith and community leaders, supporters, and friends.

Your trust and partnership have been instrumental in helping make this vision possible. We are deeply thankful for each of you and for the many ways you have contributed to this journey.

As we move forward, we look forward to strengthening these meaningful collaborations and continuing to work hand in hand with each of you to advance this shared vision—and, most importantly, to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of the people and communities we are privileged to serve.

Thank you for believing in BACI, believing in our community, and helping us build a HOME for ALL.