Dimapur, Dec. 5 (EMN): Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio expressed shock and sadness at the sudden demise of Michael Yaden, former Director of Civil Defence and Commandant General of Home Guards, on December 4 in Chennai.
Rio said during his younger days, Yaden worked as an English news reader in All India Radio, Kohima station.
“Those days, radio was the most popular media from where we listened to news and the latest music. And because of his soft and commanding voice, Michael Yaden became a household name in Nagaland,” he recalled.
Yaden later joined government service, and through merit, rose to become the Director of Civil Defence and Commandant General of Home Guards, he said.
The Civil Defence Organisation as well as the Home Guard department were upgraded in terms of manpower and infrastructure developments during his tenure, Rio said, adding that he took the initiative of raising the State Disaster Response Force by training several batches of policemen from various Armed Police Battalions in the then Home Guard and Civil Defence Training Centre at Tulovi.
“Shri Michael Yaden was a very sociable person, warm and affectionate having many friends and acquaintances. He was a good friend of mine since our youth days and we shared memorable times together.
“He was an upright and dedicated officer in both official and social circles. His death is a great loss for the people of Nagaland and the vacuum he has left will be difficult to fill. My wife and my family members join me in sending our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family. May his soul rest in peace,” read the condolence message.