By Felix Anthony
Ziro: The Apatani tribe of Arunachal Pradesh got its first Catholic nun when Sister Dulley Yakang made her First religious profession as the member of the Congregation of the Mother Carmel.
She took the vows April 17 at a ceremony in Mount Carmel Parish, Dimapur, the commercial capital of the northeastern Indian state.
“It is indeed a matter of pride for all of our Apatani community that one of our own became a religious sister,” said Nani Yase Teresa, the president of Apatani Catholic Women Association of Itangar diocese. “I used to pray for her daily during my family prayers and I pray that many more youth from Arunachal Pradesh become fathers and sisters like Sister Yakang” she added.
Sister Yakang is the daughter of Dulley Buda and Dulley Adii of Hapoli parish. She is the third among the nine siblings and started her formation for religious life after completing her bachelor degree.
She made her religious profession together with four others in the presence of their provincial Sister Emilin and Bishop James Thoppil of Kohima.
Sister Yakang is the tenth religious nun of indigenous origin from Itanagar diocese.
“I hope she will be a source of inspiration for many more young people to come forward to offer their lives in the service of the people,” said Bishop Thomas.
Carmelite Sister Celine, superior of the community working in Ziro, too expressed hope that the first Apatani sister will become a shining example for many youth from the tribe to join religious life.
The Apatani are a special tribal group living in the Ziro Valley in the Lower Subansiri district of Arunachal Pradesh. Unlike the other tribes, they are a non-nomadic. They practice permanent wetland cultivation in hilly terrain by slicing the hills.
According to 2011 census Arunachal has 43,777 Apatanis.