Project Empathy, Assam Rifles host event in Kohima
Project Empathy, Assam Rifles host event in Kohima
An event, aimed at preserving indigenous knowledge, giving voice to under-represented communities was organised jointly by Project Empathy and the Assam Rifles at Kenguruse Hall, HQ IGAR (N), Kohima
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.
