Chief Guest, Abu Metha, Advisor to Chief Minister of Nagaland, Guests of Honour, Lt. General Vikas Lakhera, AVSM, SM, Director General, Assam Rifles & Abeni TCK, Author & Designer, seen with participants during the programme on ‘Weaves of Empathy’ held at Hotel Vivor on November 22.
Weaves of Empathy, a documentary film screened
Morung Express News
Kohima | November 22
Bringing together scholars, artists, musicians, educators, students and community voices, “Weaves of Empathy,” a one-day gathering under the Naga Oral History Project by Project Empathy today was held today at Hotel Vivor Kohima. The event saw the screening of “Weaves of Empathy,” a documentary film emerging from the Project which was conceived and led by the Founder of Project Empathy, Vibha Lakhera.
The documentary film was directed by acclaimed filmmaker Parasher Baruah, bringing to life intimate, intergenerational stories of care, resilience, community strength, and emotional wisdom shared across Naga families.
Addressing the gathering as the chief guest, Abu Metha, Advisor to the Chief Minister of Nagaland & Chairman, Investment & Development Authority of Nagaland (IDAN) remarked that the Naga society is unique, special and different. He recalled that he also grew up in that generation which grew up listening to stories by the fireside and congratulated the Founder of Project Empathy for telling the stories of Naga people while also terming the film as an excellent work of production.
In today’s world, he impressed upon that the very technological tools that connect us are the ones that divide, polarize and create divisions. In this regard, he however underscored that, “empathy is the thread and the treasure that connects, unites, and brings us together.”
Highlighting the aspect of ‘empathy’ within the Naga community that is reflected in so many ways, he remarked that, “this is how we grew up in the society and how we should continue to teach our coming generations so that these rich traditions, culture, heritage, the Naga way of life is not lost.”
In the meantime, he noted that fortunately or unfortunately, Nagas have also inherited a lot of positives and negatives including tribalism. Stating that today’s generation grapples with tribalism every day, he also urged for the need to introspect, go back, look back, and called for today’s generation “to take on this bull of tribalism by the horns and combat and overcome it.”
For the Naga society to be united, and become one, he asserted on the “need to strengthen that pillar of unity through our traditions, the empathy that we’ve learned from our previous generations.”
He also called upon the gathering to “contribute to our own progress, contribute to the good of humanity, and contribute to nation building.” “And that aspiration to contribute will be so much better with empathy”, he expressed.
Speaking as the guest of honour, Lt. General Vikas Lakhera, AVSM, SM, Director General, Assam Rifles retraced his long association with Nagaland and expressed, “May God bless Nagaland. May you really understand how blessed you are to be born here.”
“If you understand that, I think you will carry forward the legacy of your ancestors,” he noted while adding that the baton is in their hands to be passed to the next generation.
Abeni TCK, Author & Designer, who was the other guest of honour, remarked that “‘Weaves of Empathy’ reminds us of the beauty and depth of Naga oral culture, where every story is a thread and every thread carries life and wisdom.”
She also underscored that the power of the Naga Oral culture lies in its ability to carry emotions, identity, history and also valuable information. “We have done so for centuries through stories, songs, folktales and ancestral narratives, we have preserved a living archive of who we are- rooted in community, courage and a deep connection to our land”, she added.
In her welcome note, Founder of Project Empathy, Vibha Lakhera, said that, “we are not just unveiling a film, we are opening a doorway into the heart of Naga people” while stating that “the project is a general reminder that stories when shared with honesty and courage have the power to transform us.”
She also highlighted that, “Weaves of Empathy is a beautifully woven fabric of memories, lived experiences and emotional truths” wherein each thread carries a story, and a lesson that reminds that empathy is not taught in a single day, but is practiced every day.
Earlier in the morning, Dr Tseilhoutuo Rhutso (Dr. Ato), MLA inaugurated the Art Exhibition.
