Vikugha Sema
Naharlagun, Arunachal Pradesh
12 Years, 6 months, 10 days — Today date, 12 May 2026, marks the dedication and release of the Puroik New Testament Bible - Arunachal Pradesh, translated by Vikugha Sema, Missionary, Indian Evangelical Mission. The First Naga to Translate the New Testament Bible into another language.
The dedication of the Puroik New Testament marks a historic and joyful milestone for the Puroik community. After 12 years, 6 months, and 10 days of earnest prayer, careful translation, and faithful partnership, God has graciously made His Word available in the heart language of the Puroik people. This achievement reflects the united commitment of the Indian Evangelical Mission (IEM), the Bible Society of India (BSI), the Nyishi Baptist Church Council (NBCC), supporters, church leaders, and believers who laboured together in faith. This dedication stands as a powerful testimony to God’s faithfulness and love for our Puroik community.
The history of Bible translation ministry among the Puroik tribe in Arunachal Pradesh represents a significant mission landmark. On April 17, 2010, IEM commissioned my family as pioneer cross-cultural missionary Bible translators to serve the Puroik community in New Seppa, East Kameng district, in partnership with NBCC. Through its official ACM and ECM resolutions dated April 15, 2010 (ACM 90/991/10 and ECM 27/381/10), the NBCC formally granted approval for me to undertake the Puroik Bible Translation ministry. This marked the beginning of a remarkable journey of faith, dedication, and partnership in advancing God’s Word among the Puroik people.
The Puroik Alphabet and numerical charts were formally dedicated on June 15, 2013, at Papu Nallah during the PBM Leadership Seminar. The dedication was officiated by Bijoy Jajo, then SFM of the Indian Evangelical Mission, marking a significant milestone in the formalization and standardization of written Puroik.
Linguistic development progressed with the completion of the Puroik phonology study from June 22 to July 19, 2013, at the Institute of Languages and Linguistics in Dehradun. This foundational research provided a systematic understanding of the language’s sound system and pronunciation patterns. By April 2017, a comprehensive grammar analysis and detailed write-up of the Puroik language were completed in Dehradun, enabling structured language learning and facilitating greater accuracy in translation work.
The formal Bible translation work commenced on February 2, 2014. A significant milestone was reached with the dedication of the first translated book, the Gospel of Mark, on November 3, 2017, at Papu Nallah. The Mark gospel was dedicated by Rev. T. J. Kino, AGS (Mission), Nyishi Baptist Church Council, in the presence of Mr John Mathai, BTSE Secretary, IEM, during the 10th PBM Conference.
Translation efforts continued to advance with the audio recording of the Gospel of Luke from October 18 to 23, 2021, in Guwahati in partnership with FCBH. In addition, the team strengthened language resources by reviewing and verifying entries of the Puroik dictionary from September 17 to 19, 2021, at the Puroik Baptist Fellowship in Papu Nallah, Itanagar. These developments significantly enhanced both the quality and progress of translation work.
Process of Bible Translation
Bible translation is an intricate and prayerful undertaking that requires careful attention at every stage to ensure clarity, accuracy, naturalness, acceptability, and faithfulness to the original texts. In translating the Scriptures into the Puroik language, we followed a systematic and well-structured process.
The pre-translation stage included advanced linguistic training, in-depth language learning and analysis, training in translation theory and practice, preparation of phonology and grammar write-ups, as well as Paratext training and computer setup. These foundational steps ensured that the team was well-equipped both linguistically and technically before beginning the actual translation work.
Translation stages involved detailed exegesis, preparation of the first draft, team checking, and comprehension checking within the community. This was followed by advisor review, preparation of supplementary materials, back translation, and consultant checking. After committee review and formal approval, each book underwent careful proofreading, typesetting, and trial printing before final publication. This process culminates in dedication today. The distribution and Scripture engagement will follow to encourage meaningful use of God’s Word within the community.
Each stage was carried out with prayer, collaboration, and accountability, ensuring that the translated Scriptures would faithfully communicate the message of the Bible to the Puroik people in their heart language.
Aim and Purpose of the Bible Translation work in the Puroik language
1. Connection to God's Word: Translating the Bible into the heart language ensures that the community can read and understand the Scriptures in their native tongues. This accessibility helps individuals connect with God’s Word on a personal level.
2. Cultural Relevance: The Bible message becomes more relevant and understandable within cultural contexts. It helps people see how the teachings of the Bible apply to their own lives and traditions.
3. Catalyse Spiritual Growth: When the community reads the Bible in their own mother tongue, it can lead to deeper spiritual growth and understanding. It allows for a more intimate and personal relationship with the God of the Bible.
4. Commission: By ensuring that everyone can read and understand the Bible in their own language, we honour the Great Commission to make disciples of all nations. Bible translation is crucial for evangelism, church growth and mission work. It equips God’s servants and local churches to share the gospel more effectively, making the message of Jesus Christ more accessible and acceptable. As Camoron Tounsend said, “The greatest missionary is the Bible in the mother tongue; it is never considered as a foreigner”
5. Conservation of Language: Translating the Bible into native languages can help preserve those languages, many of which are at risk of disappearing. This translation work will preserve the language in a standardised written form. This advancement can boost literacy rates and educational opportunities within communities.
6. Community Empowerment: Bible translation often involves the local community in the translation process, empowering them and fostering a sense of ownership and pride in their language. Engaging local communities in the translation process empowers individuals by involving them in meaningful and collaborative work, which strengthens community bonds.
7. Curriculum Impact: Bible translation can also enhance literacy and education in communities. Learning to read and write in one's own language can open further educational opportunities and improve the overall quality of life.
Truly, perfection belongs to God alone. As human beings with limitations and weaknesses, my team and I have prayerfully and diligently given our utmost effort to produce an error-free translation and present this work as accurately and faithfully as possible. Nevertheless, we humbly recognise that there may still be shortcomings—whether in spelling, clarity, wording, or understanding of certain concepts despite our best intentions.
We sincerely welcome and deeply appreciate valuable feedback, constructive critiques, credible corrections, and thoughtful suggestions, which will help us refine and strengthen this work for the benefit of our Puroik readers.
Once again, I express my heartiest gratitude to our living God, the Lord Jesus Christ, for enabling my team and me to complete this vital, noble and sacred task. I also extend heartfelt appreciation to every individual who has supported, encouraged, and participated in this ministry, whether directly or indirectly.
May this translation work help our Puroik believers grow stronger in faith, richer in biblical understanding, and deeper in their walk with Christ as they read God’s Word in their own language.
This is the Word of God, given by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
Translated with the help of the Holy Spirit.
Therefore, all glory and honour be to God—and God alone. Amen.
