Narratives That Shape Us 2025, an annual event of the First Rain Foundation, was held on December 16 at First Rain, Sangtemla Ward, Mokokchung.
Sharing the theme of this year’s programme, First Rain stated, “This year, we explore how young people see the world and how their storytelling can help bridge the growing communication gap between children and parents.”
Through creative expressions of their own composed poetry, songs, rap, personal sharing and stories, 12 young participants presented their narratives.
The young participants who shared during the event were Sahnem (13 years), Alia Longkumer (18 years), Likhumer (18 years), Orapenli (15 years), Yangersungla (19 years), Lumchilo (11 years), Molongzenla (20 years), Aviti (18 years), Kumkum (18 years), Noyingroni (13 years), Yimdangjungla (18 years), and Mechi (21 years).
Yangersungla, a guitarist and backing vocalist of band Adore, performed songs centred on finding joy and drawing closer to God. Yimdangjungla spoke about the pressure of adult expectations on her, particularly coming from a family background where all members are engaged in well-known professions, and the challenge this creates in defining her own paths and understanding of success.
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Mechi Imchen, a published writer, presented a new poem and shared his intention to publish more of her work in the future. Likhumer performed a song that explored loneliness during challenging times, while Orapenli recited a poetry that captured life’s lowest moments. Aviti delivered a rap addressing the fear of judgement and the pain of being misunderstood, and his distant relationship with his father and closeness with his mother. Lumchilo shared poetry drawn from her own reflections, while Kumkum courageously recounted her experiences of bullying, describing how her skin colour and identity as a non-Naga exposed her to hurtful stereotypes.
Addressing generational gaps, Sahnem delivered a message on the widening communication divide between young people and adults, emphasising that encouragement and open dialogue can help bridge this gap. Alia Longkumer spoke about how music became a source of comfort during her parents’ divorce, sharing the importance of parental love and emotional support as from her experience at 16 years. Molongzenla’s poetry expressed a longing to be accepted as she is, while highlighting the strain of living under constant scrutiny and comparison by adults. Noyingroni presented a poetry and an imaginative fantasy stories she had written.
Lanusenla, Director of First Rain Foundation, in her address said First Rain’s commitment is to walk with young people, to understand before instructing and to listen before responding, believing that when the young feel heard and understood, they are more likely to carry forward values with meaning rather than resistance.
She said that the event is centred on young people and acknowledged the young participants. She thanked them for their courage in looking inward, reflecting honestly on their experiences, and stepping forward to share their stories in a public space. By doing so, she said, they were not only honouring their own journeys but also inviting others into deeper understanding. She expressed gratitude for their bravery and for placing their trust in the platform.
She also acknowledged the parents present, noting that through discipline, love and guidance, they had shaped their children’s lives over the years. She said much of who the young participants are today is influenced by what their parents have invested in them, and thanked the parents for walking alongside their children, even through challenging and unfamiliar seasons. Extending her appreciation to all those who had come to listen and learn from the young, she said their presence reflected humility and the belief that learning does not end with age.
Lanusenla then reflected on what it means to truly think, stating that genuine thinking goes beyond intelligence or opinion and is rooted in lived experiences, values and engagement with the world. She said thoughtful people must be willing to move beyond their own experiences and step into perspectives and stories they may not yet understand. She added that true thinking is revealed in how people live, speak, respond and treat one another, and that faith, too, calls for a life marked by humility, empathy and love.
She encouraged to listen from the perspective of the young, she said that while the culture values respect, order and honouring others, communication that flows only in one direction can weaken understanding.
Over time, she noted, this has contributed to a widening gap between generations, visible in homes, schools and communities.
She further observed that growing tensions between parents and children are often not due to a lack of love, but a lack of understanding. While acknowledging that parents also need space and support, she said that the evening’s platform was for the young, and respectfully requested parents, elders and all those who care deeply for the next generation to allow the young to speak first.
Concluding her address, Lanusenla noted that twelve young people would be sharing their narratives during the programme. She encouraged the audience to honour their courage by offering them full attention and openness, to listen carefully and sit with their stories. She said that as the evening unfolded, listeners might leave more informed and aware than when they arrived, before inviting the young participants to take the stage and share the narratives that shape them.
She further observed that tensions between parents and children often arise not from a lack of
love, but from unmet understanding. She said that when young people feel heard, seen and understood, they are more likely to carry forward values with meaning rather than resistance, and added that creating such spaces is central to the work of First Rain.
She thanked the young participants for their courage in sharing honestly, and expressed appreciation to the parents, elders and listeners for offering their attention and openness. She said that the event intended not to provide final answers, but to deepen awareness and understanding, encouraging all present to continue listening and walking alongside the younger generation.
Mhonlumo Kikon, poet, author and politician, who was present along with his two daughters, Lumchilo and Noyingroni, while sharing his thoughts with the gathering, emphasised the importance of focusing on reading, writing, performing, sharing and coming together, stating that such engagement is fundamental.
He recalled that education first came to the Naga Hills through Mokokchung district and remarked that programmes like this help bring back meaningful and genuine engagement, with education remaining at the centre. He also cautioned about the growing tendency to spend excessive time on social media, noting that activities of this nature offer a practical response to that challenge.
Expressing gratitude to First Rain for organising the programme, he said that when Asen first
approached him with the idea, he readily agreed. Following a discussion, he also consulted his two daughters on whether they would like to participate, describing it as a choice between screen time and time spent meaningfully. He added that such experiences are likely to stay with children for a long time and be remembered fondly.
Encouraging young people, Kikon highlighted the power of imagination, words, letters and art as essential tools for learning and self-expression.
