New Testament released in “Nyishi” language

The Nyishi language belongs to the Sino-Tibetan family and is spoken by the Nyishi people, the largest tribe in Arunachal Pradesh.

Bishop John Thomas Kattrukudiyil of Itanagar releasing the first New Testament in “Nyishi” language.

Itanagar:  Bishop John Thomas Kattrukudiyil of Itanagar released the first New Testament in “Nyishi” language on October 2 on the occasion of the Diocesan Fraternity Convention of Northeast India held at Itanagar.

The Nyishi language belongs to the Sino-Tibetan family and is spoken by the Nyishi people, the largest tribe in India’s north-eastern state of Arunachal Pradesh.

Salesian Father Sebastian Thuruthiyil, the parish priest of St John Bosco parish in Doimukh of Papum Pare district, and his team executed the translation of the New Testament.

“It has taken us about six years to get the final text ready,” said Father Sebastian.
The Fiat Mission of Angamali in the southern state of Kerala did the lay out and printing of the New Testament.

Mr Bamang Felix, the Parliamentary Secretary for Education, Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh, released the “Nyishi” Bible and presented the first copy to Bishop John Thomas of Itanagar.

“We are fortunate to have the Word of God in our local language because of the missionaries,” Felix said. He commended the great contribution of the Catholic Church in imparting value based quality education and rural health mission.

Some 200 priests, religious, archbishops of Shillong, Guwahati and Imphal, as well as Bishops of Tezpur, Kohima and Agartala joined lay leaders and civil dignitaries of the region for the celebration.

Arunachal Pradesh Catholic Association arranged the whole programme of the Fraternity Convention to felicitate the Bishops and priests of Northeast India, most of them coming to Arunachal Pradesh for the first time.

The Association arranged a colourful cultural show to show case the various tribes of Arunachal Pradesh. The President of the Catholic Union Mr Taw Tabin gave the welcome address. Mr Tok Botum, the president of All India Catholic Union, gave a short history of the Catholic faith in Arunachal Pradesh. Mr Nabam Pekhi, the secretary of the Association, proposed the vote of thanks. A fellowship meal followed.

According to Census 2011, Arunachal Pradesh has a population of 13,84,000, of which over 300,000 are Nyishi people. They are spread in the districts of Lower Subansiri, Papum Pare, Kurung Kume, East Kameng, and parts of Upper Subansiri in the state of Arunachal Pradesh and in the Sonitpur and North Lakhimpur districts of the neighbouring state of Assam.

Father Kulandaisamy of Tezpur diocese started the first mission for Nyishi people in 1977 at Harmutty, a border town in Assam. Salesian Father Jose Chemparathy took over the mission among Nyishi people in 1981.

The Salesians have been working among the Nyishi people for over 25 years.

Source: Bosco Information Service