THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The young students of Vellarimala GVHSS, still reeling from the trauma of the landslide that claimed 33 of their peers, will start classes in a new building tomorrow.
Following the disaster, which completely destroyed the original school building, the Builders' Association of India stepped in, constructing 12 new classrooms adjacent to Meppadi GHSS. On September 2, 2024, the government formally allowed the Vellarimala students to integrate with Meppadi GHSS, located 14 kilometres away. Space constraints initially posed significant challenges, but the Builders' Association responded with swift and selfless support.
Students from the Chooralmala area are now transported to school by a bus provided by the Manipal Foundation, with kind-hearted individuals helping to meet the operational costs.
Despite the magnitude of the tragedy, the students have displayed remarkable strength and determination. Vellarimala GVHSS maintained a 100% pass rate in the SSLC (10th grade) exams and improved its Plus Two results from a pre-disaster 58% to an impressive 83%. Teachers have played a key role in this recovery, offering consistent emotional support through counselling, arts programs, and participation in cultural events.
Personal loss for Principal Bhavya
For Principal Bhavya, the tragedy is more than a professional challenge—it is a deeply personal wound. In the early hours of July 30, 2024, a phone call from a friend alerted her to a possible landslide in Chooralmala. Uncertain but alarmed, she contacted the school management committee chairman. By midday, the reality of the situation began to unfold as news channels started broadcasting the names of students buried in the debris.
The landslide had claimed the lives of 33 students across grades 1 to 12. To this day, 10 of the victims remain missing.
The emotional toll was immense. Many children lost not just friends but also parents and siblings. Principal Bhavya, who has served at the school for 16 years and lived near the original campus for 10 of those years, lost neighbours to the disaster.