Dimapur, August 1 (MExN): Condolences continued to pour in on Saturday following the demise of Naga Mothers' Association (NMA) President Vilanuo Angela Yhome, with Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, civil society organisations and community leaders remembering her as an eminent educationist, peace activist and champion of women's empowerment.
In a condolence message, Rio said Yhome, who passed away on July 31, had rendered distinguished service as an educationist, social leader and advocate of peace and women's rights.
He said she served the government with distinction as a teacher and administrator before retirement and made significant contributions as a member of the Bible Review Committee, Board Member of the Council of Catholic Women of India, President and later Advisor of the Nagaland Catholic Women Association, President of the Naga Mothers' Association, Board Member of the Cradle Ridge Centre, member of the Naga Mothers' Peace Committee, General Secretary of the Tenyimi Women Union and an active member of the Global Naga Forum (GNF).
Rio also noted that Yhome was the first woman to serve as Joint Secretary of the Lhisema Council, Kohima Village, and later served as its Secretary.
Describing her death as an immense loss to her family, the Angami community and Nagaland, the chief minister said her legacy of selfless service, integrity, compassion, peace-building and community leadership would continue to inspire future generations. He extended condolences to the bereaved family and prayed for eternal peace for the departed soul.
Paying tribute on behalf of the Global Naga Forum, one of its senior leaders said he had known Yhome for many years and had travelled with her on reconciliation efforts, relief missions and consultations relating to the Indo-Naga political issue.
He described her as a calm, compassionate and principled leader who dedicated her life to public service through church, community and civil society organisations.
The GNF said Yhome played a key role in advocating the implementation of 33 per cent reservation for women in Nagaland's Urban Local Bodies and remained committed to the vision of peace, reconciliation and unity among the Naga people.
The Naga Hoho also expressed profound grief over her demise, describing her as an educationist, champion of women's rights, grassroots community worker and a pillar of the church at the local, regional and national levels.
It said she remained steadfast in promoting peace, justice, reconciliation and human dignity throughout her life, adding that her passing had created a void in the socio-political fabric of the Naga people.
The Naga People's Organisation (NPO), Senapati, termed her death an immense loss to the entire Naga community and remembered her for her selfless service, compassionate leadership and tireless efforts to promote peace, unity and justice.
The Linguistic Minority Forum of Nagaland (LMFN) also mourned her passing, saying her commitment to women's empowerment through the church and various social organisations reflected her courage, compassion and selfless leadership.
The forum said Yhome would be remembered as a fearless champion of justice and a voice for the marginalised whose life of faith and integrity inspired people across communities.
The general secretary NSCN (IM) Th Muivah also expressed sorrow over her demise, describing Yhome as an iconic leader who devoted her life to the upliftment of women and the welfare of the Naga people through her work in civil society organisations.
It said she believed deeply in the rights of the Nagas and dedicated herself to serving society with humility and sacrifice, adding that her legacy would remain etched in the history of the Naga people.
Organisations and leaders across Nagaland offered prayers for the bereaved family and paid tribute to Yhome's lifelong contributions to education, women's empowerment, peace-building and social justice.
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