“Njangalum Ningalodopam”: Celebrating Onam with the people affected by the Wayanad landslides

Njangalum Ningalodopam, was an extraordinaryOnam get together for 200+ survivors of the Wayanad landslides, hosted by BREADS (INK – Development Office) and Don Bosco College, Sulthan Bathery, on 11 September 2024.

The lands and lives in the Chooralmala and Mundakkai region, Wayanad district of Kerala had been devastated by landslides on 31 July 2024. The survivors moved from relief camps to rented houses to begin to pick up their shattered lives by mid-August. In view of the beloved Onam festival of Kerala, BREADS and DB College invited them all to a friendly get together at the college, arranging for their transport as well. When they arrived, they were overjoyed to see some of their friends, former neighbours and coworkers. After a month and a half of coping with the disaster on their own, they were finally able to share together, both their joy and gratitude for being alive, as well as the sorrow of their current situations.

They were warmly welcomed by Fr. Dr. Shajan Noronha, Principal of Don Bosco College. The teachers and students made every effort to create positive and joyful moments for the guests. Performances, party games and songs added colour. Participants were coached to make paper planes. Then, old and young alike, they launched their colourful planes into the air with great enthusiasm— a poignant expression of hope for the future while dealing with the difficulties of the present. The joy and belongingness that the people experienced as they sang songs, sharing bittersweet memories about earlier Onam celebrations, watching their children and students dance, allowed them a much-needed respite from the cares of their daily existence and stress about the future.

The Principal emphasised that Don Bosco College supported by BREADS would provide free admission and any extra tuition to students from the affected regions. To begin with, Ms. Archana Anil from Mundakkai, was admitted to the master’s in social work (MSW) programme with free tuition. The DB College team had earlier offered praiseworthy services during the disaster relief work.

An interactive session chaired by Fr. Jenson Variyath, with Fr. George PS (Executive Director-BREADS), and Mr. Aneesh Chacko, (Secretary & Sub Judge – DLSA Wayanad), allowed people to share their difficulties. The Government provided a fixed rental allowance and groceries for the affected people, leaving them to grapple with other issues, such as payment of rent deficits, medical expenditure, or income generation. Most people had been casual labourers in the resorts or estates and were now unemployed. Tradesmen had lost their tools of trade and coworkers and were struggling to cope. In the absence of tourism-related work, educated unemployed youth and women were also looking for employment opportunities. Fr. George PS agreed to address these issues on priority with his team constituted for the rehabilitation process.

Major areas of BREADS’ intervention will include professional psychological support for children and adults, follow up of entitlements, alternative care for orphaned/abandoned children, capacity-building of teachers for disaster preparedness. BREADS will also provide household items and assist in building houses while promoting income generation and employment activities to help people move forward with their lives.

Onam is associated with newness and the exchange of gifts; and so, the organisers ensured a useful gift for each guest. A traditional sumptuous Onam sadhya (festive meal) filled everyone with a sense of renewal, optimism, and hope. On behalf of his friends, one of the survivors, Samson said, “This gathering was really a refresher, motivating me and my friends to move forward, facing all the ordeals that come on our way.”

Thanks to all the benefactors and volunteers near and far, this was indeed a celebration of the spirit of Onam!