Kaisa Rio urges Bible reading, practising Scripture and making the Bible available in local languages at a Kohima seminar
DIMAPUR — Kaisa Rio, wife of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, has stressed the importance of reading and practising the teachings of the Bible, stating that its value lies not merely in owning a copy but in allowing its message to shape one's character, strengthen faith and guide actions.
She was addressing the first Mary Jones Mega Seminar-2026, organised by the Bible Society of India, Kohima Branch (BSIKB), on the theme “Mary Jones and Her Bible” at the Kohima Village Council multipurpose building on October 31.
The seminar was attended by around 1,500 women delegates from various churches, an update stated.
Kaisa observed that although technology had made access to the Bible easier than ever, accessibility alone did not guarantee that people read, understood or lived by its teachings.
Highlighting the relevance of Mary Jones's story for Nagaland, she urged parents, teachers, pastors and church leaders to encourage Bible reading among children and young people and nurture a generation that not only knows the Word of God but also practises its teachings.
She also underscored the importance of making Scriptures available in languages people understand, particularly in a diverse country like India, so that communities could engage more deeply with the message of the Gospel.
The seminar featured two sessions focusing on the historical significance of Mary Jones and contemporary issues surrounding Bible translation.
Dr. Hrangthan Chhungi, Director of the Church, Public Relations and Resource Mobilisation (CPRRM) department at the Bible Society of India, Bangalore, spoke on “Mary Jones and Her Bible – Its Significance Today.”
Rev. Dr. Zhodi Angami, Associate Director of the Translation Centre, Shillong, delivered a talk on “Whose Language, Whose Bible? Translation and the Politics of Language in North East India.”
The programme began with an invocation by Rev. Dr. Rachülie Vihienuo, Executive Director of the Angami Baptist Church Council (ABCC).
It also featured a welcome address and felicitation by Those Kraho, president of the BSI Kohima Branch, greetings by Rev. S Noksa Chiu, and highlights of the Dimapur Auxiliary presented by its president, Rev. Dr. N Paphino.
According to the organisers, the seminar drew inspiration from the story of Mary Jones, a 15-year-old Welsh girl who, in 1800, walked 26 miles barefoot to obtain a Bible in her own language.
Her determination moved Reverend Thomas Charles and other Christian leaders, eventually inspiring the formation of the British and Foreign Bible Society in 1804.
The initiative later reached India through the Calcutta Auxiliary Bible Society in 1811, which subsequently became part of the Bible Society of India.
The organisers said the seminar aimed to highlight the importance of Scripture in one's own language and encourage greater participation of women in the Bible Society's mission.