FRIDAY, APRIL 25, 2025
Project Empathy, Assam Rifles host event in Kohima
Published on Apr 7, 2025
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Vibha Lakhera, Manish Kumar, Vishu Rita Krocha, and other dignitaries with the students during the event in Kohima on Monday. (EM Images)
- KOHIMA — An event, aimed at preserving indigenous knowledge, giving voice to under-represented communities, and helping people understand history from a personal perspective, was organised jointly by Project Empathy and the Assam Rifles at Kenguruse Hall, HQ IGAR (N), Kohima, on Monday.
- Vibha Lakhera, founder and CEO of Project Empathy, in her speech, traced the roots of the initiative back to her first visit to Nagaland in 2022.
- Recalling her journey from Dimapur to Kohima, she described how the warmth of the people, the beauty of the land, and the unique cultural spirit sparked the idea of documenting stories of empathy.
- “I had no idea what to expect from Kohima or its people,” she said and added, “But the smiles I received were not just expressions of friendliness but invitations to connect, understand, and belong. This became the very reason for the inception of the project: Naga Oral History – Stories of Empathy.”
- Lakhera shared her experiences of visiting the local market, observing the flowerpots in front of every home regardless of wealth, and being deeply moved by the gentleness of teachers and elders. She questioned what lay behind this “extraordinary warmth and softness” and found the answer in a deeply ingrained culture of empathy.
- The project, she said, collaborated with students from Don Bosco College Kohima, Modern College, and Oriental College, who reached out to elders from various tribes to record personal and communal histories.
- “The students have been the real heroes of this project,” she said, extending gratitude to the coordinators and participants.
- Lakhera dedicated the project to the people of Nagaland for their enduring spirit, courage in the face of adversity, and their faith in forgiveness and reconciliation.
- Major General Manish Kumar, Inspector General (IG) Assam Rifles (North), in his speech, lauded the spirit of Project Empathy and those who have given meaning to the word ‘empathy’, congratulating the team for working towards preserving Naga oral history.
- He stated that oral history and empathy complement each other and pointed out that without empathy, the spirit of history would be lost.
- He presented an acronym for EMPATHY — Empowering, Mindfulness, Perspective, Acceptance, Trust, Humility, and Yearning — and emphasised that these values mirror the ethos of soldiering.
- Renowned poet, journalist, and publisher Vishu Rita Krocha, in her keynote address, emphasised the transformative power of oral storytelling in nurturing empathy, preserving culture, and building community.
- Reflecting on her own experiences, Krocha shared, “Having listened to oral stories most of my life, I can confidently say that it promotes empathy in a deeper way. The spoken lived experience is a crucial part of education, as we gain deeper understanding when we engage ourselves with first-person narratives.”
- She recalled her childhood memories of sitting by the fireside as her grandparents recounted tales from their lives. “Their act of sharing memories aloud,” she noted, “is a way of taking part in a living record of lessons and experiences that have helped not just me but a lot of people connect with their lives — simultaneously teaching us about past events and reminding us that progress depends on shared understanding.”
- Krocha underlined that even in today’s technology-driven world, oral storytelling remains a powerful tool for preserving cultural identity, promoting empathy, and strengthening family bonds.
- She stressed that oral histories give voice to those who may not have documented their lives in writing. In the context of Nagaland’s cultural diversity, Krocha pointed out that oral storytelling also plays a vital role in preserving indigenous languages and ensuring cultural continuity.
- “Each of our family’s stories matters,” she said, “because they carry wisdom, comfort, and inspiration for young people to understand where they come from.”
- Krocha lauded Lakhera for initiating a movement that seeks to document oral stories and promote compassion through storytelling.
- Kevichubei Rutsa, who was associated with the project, reflected on the initiative, while students from Don Bosco College Kohima, Oriental College Kohima, and Modern College Piphema shared their experiences.
- Padma Shri Kilamsungla attended the event as a special invitee, among others.
- On the occasion, the official website of Project Empathy was launched, and students who were involved in the project were felicitated.
Nagaland Districts
