Hailing the reconstruction efforts in landslides-hit Wayanad as the latest instance of the ‘Kerala model,’ where people beyond all religious differences come together to support each other in distress, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday inaugurated the first phase of the Kalpetta township, built for the survivors of the Mundakkai-Chooralmala landslides in July 2024. Keys to houses were handed over to 178 families.
Five-year-old Naisa, who lost her father and two siblings in the landslides, was one of the beneficiaries who received the keys from the Chief Minister. A video of her interaction with Mr. Vijayan on stage went viral on social media, with the CPI(M) online handles drawing a picture of contrast between the State government’s fulfilling of its promise and the Union government’s stand in denying relief to the victims. Young Naisa was seen with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in another viral video during his visit to Wayanad after the landslides.
‘Many obstacles’
“We cannot compensate for many losses. But through compassion, we can help people slowly recover from that loss. That is the characteristic of humanity. That is what we saw in the Mundakkai-Chooralmala survival. The world once again saw the Kerala model of love, compassion, and reciprocity. There were many obstacles, from propaganda to denial of Central assistance, from attempts to mislead the survivors and calls not to contribute to the relief fund. Some media outlets also tried to destroy the rehabilitation project by fabricating lies. But it became a reality due to the unity and support of the people,” said Mr. Vijayan.
