By : C.M. Paul
Shillong : The Governor of Meghalaya & Arunachal Pradesh honoured a Catholic priest working in Arunachal Pradesh for his outstanding contribution in developing tribal languages and literature at an award giving ceremony for “North East India Award on Peace, Social Work, Youth & Education and Tribal Literature 2016” held 10 December at Christ School (International), Nongsder, Umiam in Meghalaya.

In keeping with the spirit of Christ School International and K.K. L. Loyi Foundation (Guwahati), a set of four awards has been instituted by the two organizations to honour individuals and institutions that excel in the promotion on Peace, Social work, Youth Affairs & Education and Tribal Literature.

Meghalaya Governor V. Shanmuganathan, 20th Governor of Arunachal Pradesh felicitated Salesian Father T. J. Francis currently working among Adi people of Arunchal Pradesh at Mebo, 10 December 2016.

The citation reads, “In recognition of his great contributions for the development of tribal languages of the North-East, we confer upon him “the NORTH EAST INDIA TRIBAL LITERATURE AWARD 2016.” His story is inspiring as he committed his time and talents to develop many native languages of the region by contributing to the literary development of the North East in a unique manner.

The award consisted of a citation and prize money of Rs 25,000.Last year’s award was conferred on late Prof. Fr. Silvlanus Sngi SDB of Sacred Heart College Shillong.

Other renowned personalities who received awards included Niketu Iralu of Nagaland who received “North East India Peace Award 2016; Educationalist and Motivational Speaker Dr. George Kallingal who won the “North East India Education and Youth Affairs Award 2016”; and Our Lady Queen of Missions (RNDM) Sr. Judith Shadap, who was conferred “North East India Social Work Award 2016”.

Among 20 odd original publications of Fr Francis in tribal dialects include several grammar books in Wancho and Rongmei (both first ever) and an Anglo-Rongmei-Rongmei-Anglo Dictionary, also a first ever.

Fr Francis also has translated parts of the Bible in Rongmei, Wancho and Nyishi and written over 200 hymns in these languages. Currently Fr Francis has completed a prayer book and a hymn book in Adi (Teyong ke Bedang) which is ready for publication.

Born in Kerala on 7th January 1959 Francis Thottathimyalil Joseph (T.J) joined Salesian aspirantate at Don Bosco Vadutala in Ernakulam Kerala in 197
After competing his Matriculation in Don Bosco School Irinjalakuda and Don Bosco School Mannuthy in 1975, Francis opted for the missions of Assam and reached Shillong where he completed Pre-University degree with distinction and joined the novitiate in 1977.

After his first profession on 24th May 1978 Francis went to Salesian College Sonada near Darjeeling to pursue Philosophical studies and complete BA honours. While there, he learnt the first northeastern language Nepali and even acted in some Nepali dramas at Sunday youth centres.

After a teaching stint at St. Anthony’s College Shillong and Savio Juniorate Mawlai Francis completed Theological studies (B.Th) in Sacred Heart College Shillong where he mastered local Khasi language in few months and was able to preach retreats in as far flung places as Sohrra in Khasi Hills during his MTh (Master of Theology) days.

As he was mastering theology the seeds of few Arunachal languages like Nyishi, Wancho was sown when he visited Arunachal Pradesh during Christmas and Easter holidays.

After Master of Theology (MTh) studies Fr Francis was assigned to Don Bosco Tamenglong in Manipur where none of the missionaries then had mastered Rongmei, a very difficult tonal language. In six months Fr. Francis learnt the language and preached his fist homily and then went on to write the first ever Rongmei Grammar, as well as the first ever Rongmei Dictionary (Rongmei-Anglo, Anglo-Rongmei).

Recalling difficulties he faced in mastering Rongmei language Fr Francis says, “the greatest challenge I faced yet was the Old Testament in Rongmei (the Deutro-Canonical Books) – “Intang makmei buk chanei.”

He wrote also the “Holy Week” services in Rongmei, “Jubilee Kang” a hymnal and several novena books while working among the Rongmei people for 7 years.Fr Francis could also celebrate the Eucharist for people in Langmei and Zemei languages.

While in Manipur’s Tamenglong and Khoupum Valley Fr Francis found time also to complete MA degree in English literature as well as studies in linguistics.
In Manipur’s Imphal Valley, for one year he studied Manipuri and was able to communicate and preside over Eucharistic celebration in Manipuri language.In 1995, Fr Francis went back to Arunachal Pradesh at Palin where he had 159 villages covering three districts of West Arunachal Pradesh.

His earlier knowledge of Nyishi was perfected and he translated the Gospel “Tugung Pui” in 1999 (a first ever) book in Nyishi, (NT. Gospels,) wrote a hymn book “Jubilee Yale”, prayer book, and translated the “Holy Week” (Derubo Hapta) in Nyishi ”in spite of his busy schedules. Fr Francis stayed among the Nishis for 7 years till 2001 contributing first books in Nyshi literature so much so that a student from Rajiv Gandhi University Itanagar did a research paper on that first book “Tugung Pui” in 2016.

From Arunachal Fr Francis was transferred to Tamenglong in Manipur as Rector and Principal of Don Bosco School where again he contributed much to the literature by starting and editing a monthly magazine called “Parish Khuan”, and 3 other Magazines on social and developmental issues in Rongmei, Zemei, and Liangmei”

In 2003 Fr Francis was transferred to Kohima in Nagaland where he learnt the basics of Angami language and was able to pronounce correctly this difficult language and tried especially using the local language in liturgy.

In 2004 he was transferred to Arunachal Pradesh to a mission at Mintong where he translated The New Testament in Wancho and released it in 2014. While working as assistant parish priest he learnt Wancho language in two years time wrote Wancho Grammar and “Rangting Lam” hymnal.

He also gave Wancho language a script (Roman), a grammar and syntax and wrote all the prayers and hymns which they now use in Church. “Rangting Lam” which means way to Heaven is the hymnal in its new form which has 250 hymns and prayers which was released along with four Gospels (“Amaikia Ka:ho) and “Hochau Hat –tham” (Holy Week Liturgy) in Wancho.

Transferred to Maram in Manipur as the Rector and Principal of Don Bosco Higher Secondary School Fr Francis learnt to preach in Maram and wrote several hymns in Maram language which people still use.

Bishop P.K. George made Fr Francis parish priest of Longding in the Wancho Mission during which he completed single handed the translation of New Testament in Wancho language.

His story is inspiring, as he his is an ongoing story. He does not boast about the number of languges he learns, but his sole conviction is that he will learn the local dialect where were he his placed.

Fr Francis says, “a priest who does not communicate in the languages of the people is hardly effective.” With a motto “communicate or perish” Fr Francis may be the only person in India who has translated the New Testament in three different languages which are not his mother tongue.