Genesis

1^st Phase

In the beginning of the year 2000 at Arunachal University (now Rajiv Gandhi University), Rono Hils, Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh, Dr. Tomo Riba then Lecturer in Department of Geography along with Dr. P.T. Abraham a linguist and then Lecturer in Department of Tribal Studies, devised an idea of framing a Script for Galo language. The idea was conceived to meet the failure of Roman Script (used in English language) to support the phonetic sounds of Galo language. It was supported by few post graduate students of Arunachal University viz. Bomchak Riba, Noto Ado, Token Basar, Marki Ete, Mido Gamlin and Yumto Jirdo. They finally launched a weekly session to discuss the matter.

2^nd Phase

A Regional Seminar entitled “Script Development for the Tribes of Arunachal Pradesh, with special reference to Galos" and exhibition of famous antiques crafts, herbal poisons etc., sponsored by National Museum of Mankind, Bhopal, under Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India, was held at North Eastern Regional Institute of Science and Technology (NERIST), Nirjuli on 22-23rd November 2001. It was organised to discuss on different aspects and feasibilities of framing a Script for Galo community of the Arunachal Pradesh. The seminar was attended by following eminent figures in different fields;

1. Prof. A.C. Bhagwati, Renowned Anthropologist North East Region & former VC, Arunachal University

(As Chief Guest of the Inaugural function)

2. Dr. Sujit Som, Director, National Museum of Mankind, Bhopal (along with his 3 Researchers)

3. Dr. Madhumita Barbora, Linguist, Dept. of English and Foreign Language, Tezpur University

4. Prof. P. H. Talukdar, Prof. C.K. Goswami and Prof. S.K. Kalita, Gauhati University (as Special Analyst)

5. Mr. Iken Riba, Minister, Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh

6. Mr. Tako Dabi, Minister, Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh

Dr. Sujit Som gave the keynote address of the seminar and Dr. Madhumita Barbora deliver a lecture on the topic The Relation of Sound and Script in Natural Language.

Following persons presented Papers;

1. Prof. P.T. Abraham, Linguist, Institute of Tribal Studies, AU: Issues in devising an alphabet.

2. Dr. Tomo Riba, Lecturer, AU: Some aspects of Galo language.

3. Dr. Tado Karlo, Lecturer, NERIST: A strategy for human resource development of Galo (through HRD, through language development).

4. Mr. Kenbom Bagra, M.Phil. Researcher: Shift of language with special reference to Galo.

5. Mr. Mido Gamlin, M.Phil. Researcher: Application of Galo sayings.

6. Dr. D.K. Bora, Director, Dept. of Research, Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh: Some remarks towards adoption of script among the Galos of Arunachal Pradesh from Social Science point of view.

7. Mr. Arak Megu, Research Officer, Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh: Adoption of common alphabet to develop Tani script in Arunachal Pradesh.

Following Script developer, presented their script:

1. Er. Tomi Ete: Modified Devanagari script for Galo

2. Mr. Toni Koyu: Tani lipi for Galo

3. Mr. Zumge Lollen: Tani Script

4. Mr. Hari Loyi: Roman script as used in IPA for Galo Script

Seminar was attended by:

1. Mr. Tabom Bam, Chief Secretary i/c, Arunachal Pradesh

2. Mr. Morge Ete, Member, APPSC

3. Er. Tumke Bagra, Chief Engineer, PHED, Gov. of AP.

4. Prof. Tamo Mibang; Director, Department of Tribal Studies, Arunachal University

5. Mr. Joram Begi, Registrar, Arunachal University

6. Mr. Tadak Gara, Director, Doordarshan Kendra, Itanagar; Chairman, Galo Welfare Society

7. Mr. Tumpak Ete, Public Leader

5. Mr. Repo Ronya, Secretary, Galo Welfare Society

6. Dr. Tejum Padu, Dy. Director, Dept. of Education, Govt. of AP

7. Mr. Mokar Riba, Secretary, Indigenous Faith and Cultural Society, Itanagar

8. Dr. Tai Nyori, Controller of Exams, Arunachal University

9. Mr. Tamar Karlo, Public Leader

10. Mr. Tabin Karlo, Orator

11. Mr. Tapu Rilo, Priest

12. Mr. Chiter Yomcha, Priest

13. Mr. Miken Dini, Priest

14. Mr. Bek Kamduk, Priest

15. Ms. Yaram Karlo

16. Ms. Morter Karlo

17. Mr. Mari Angu

18. Mr. Doge Kamduk

19. Mr. Noto Ado

Drafting committee

1. Prof. Tabu Tait Chairman

2. Prof A.C. Bhagwati Member

3. Dr. Sujit Som Member

4. Dr. D.K. Bora Member

5. Dr. Madhumita Barbora Member

6. Mr. Morge Ete Member

7. Mr. Tumpak Ete Member

8. Mr. Tadak Gara Member

9. Mr. Jomnya Siram Member

10. Dr. Tejum Padu Member

11. Mr. Tabin Karlo Member

12. Dr. P.T. Abraham Member

13. Dr. Tado Karlo Member

14. Dr. Tomo Riba Member

Drafting committees notes:

Drafting committee noted that this was the major attempt on regional basis to examine in depth the question of adaption of suitable script for the Galo language. The committee places in record with deep appreciation of several attempts and involved tremendous hard work in such attempts made by the individuals viz. Er. Tomi Ete, Mr. Toni Koyu, Mr. Zumge Lollen and Mr. Hari loyi.

Drafting committee noted detail phonetic structure of Galo language and commented that “in recognising the script of the Galo language following points need to be considered;

1. Wider acceptability of the script among all the sections of the Tani groups of language.

2. The tradition of writing of Galo language till date and need to continue the tradition and the flow of linguist and literacy activities without any impediment.

3. The strong sense of identity deserves to be establish through the new script of Galo language.

4. The Suitability of one script or the other for immediate introduction of Galo language in School.

5. The Galo committee may make a final decision on the basis of the 4 point mentioned above.

In addition to the above model and suggestion, Dr. D.K. Bora, Director, Department of Research, Government of Arunachal Pradesh in his presentation refer to the overall linguist scenario of the state of Arunachal Pradesh, taking all the factors suggested that it would be advisable to use Roman Script for the Tani group of language.

Finally the seminar concluded with the acceptance of a suitably modified Roman Script as Galo Script.

3rd Phase

To follow up the recommendation of the Seminar held in NERIST, Nirjuli on 22-23rd November 2001, the Central Institute of Indian Language, Mysore (CIIL) in collaboration with Galo Welfare Society (GWS), conducted a workshop for the preparations of Primer in Galo. The programme was held at NERIST, Nirjuli from 20^th of January to 18^th February, 2004 and was participated by Scholars from different Galo dialectal groups of Arunachal Pradesh under the guidance of Dr. Tado Karlo, Chairman, Galo Language Development Committee, GWS. In the session the tone of Galo language not supported by the Roman Script was used with IPA signs. The month long workshop ended with the finalization of the Primers. The books brought out from the workshop were released in VI^th Galo Baane Kebaa held at Basar in the year 2006.

4th Phase

In the year 2004, Mark Post, Co-founder and Secretary, North East Indian Linguistics Society, an American national doing his Research work in Research Centre for Linguistic Typology, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia starts his research work on Tani (Tibeto-Burman) language. By the year 2007 Mark Post was awarded Ph.D. for his thesis A Grammar of Galo by La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia. As an outcome of his depth research work on Galo/Tani language, Dr. Mark Post placed a proposal with justified note to improve the Galo Script initiated by CIIL. His proposal was placed before Executive Council of Galo Welfare Society through Chairman, Galo language Development Committee. The committee observed following similarities/differences in the proposal of Dr. Post with the work initiated by CIIL;