Nagaland mourns death of NMA president Vilanuo Angela Yhome
Nagaland leaders and community groups paid tribute to Vilanuo Angela Yhome, president of the Naga Mothers’ Association, for her long service in peacebuilding, •
Nagaland marked the passing of Vilanuo Angela Yhome, the president of the Naga Mothers’ Association (NMA), on Friday. Governor Nand Kishore Yadav, the Deputy Chief Minister T.R. Zeliang, and multiple organisations expressed grief and offered tributes to her work in community welfare, women’s empowerment, and peacebuilding.
In his condolence message, the governor said he was saddened by her death and described her as a leader whose service created a lasting impact. He conveyed condolences to her family and to NMA members, saying her absence will be deeply felt by people whose lives she had touched. The message emphasised her leadership and dedicated service over the years.
Tributes from state leaders and community groups
Deputy Chief Minister T.R. Zeliang also shared his condolences in a post on X. He said he was deeply saddened by Yhome’s passing and highlighted her commitment to public service and the welfare of society. Tributes were also reported from several organisations that worked alongside her in social and community efforts.
In the local context of Nagaland’s civic and community life, Yhome’s role extended beyond NMA leadership. She held leadership positions in different social, church and community organisations, where she contributed to community initiatives and peace efforts. She served as a board member of the Cradle Ridge Centre and remained a long-time member of the Naga Mothers Peace Committee, supporting peace initiatives for the Naga people.
Teacher, administrator, and community leader
Born on June 5, 1959, in Kohima Village, Yhome studied at Little Flower School, Kohima, and later graduated from Kohima College. She obtained a Bachelor of Education degree from NCERT. After working in teaching and educational administration, she retired from government service.
Her public roles included serving as general secretary of the Tenyimia Women Union and being an active member of the Global Naga Forum. She later worked with the Nagaland Catholic Women Association as president and then as adviser. She was also involved with the Angami Catholic Union Bible Review Committee, the Council of Catholic Women of India, and the Lhisema Council of Kohima Village, where she became the first woman to serve as joint secretary and later as secretary.
Yhome also served the Catholic Association of Nagaland (CAN) as joint secretary and general secretary between 2000 and 2003, and later worked as Chief Election Commissioner during 2015–16.
