Villagers mourn loss of beloved teacher in Wayanad landslide

Kozhikode: 'Lord who raised Lazarus, we are also praying and waiting for a miracle'... wrote K.A. Mathew in his Facebook post after a lorry driver named Arjun from Kozhikode went missing in a landslide in Karnataka. 

Days later, the villagers of Vilangad echoed the same prayer for their beloved teacher, Mathew, who disappeared in the Wayanad landslide.

The entire state, along with Mathew, was anxiously waiting for news of Arjun. Tragically, Mathew, who had fervently prayed for Arjun's safe return, was found dead on the third day after the Wayanad landslide. Mathew is remembered as an exemplary teacher who believed that education extended beyond the classroom and included social service. He was cherished by locals, children, and colleagues alike, and he was actively involved in political and social service activities.

Mathew's dedication to service was evident from his early days as a student leader at Madappally College. He later served as the secretary of the Yuvajanatha Nadapuram Mandalam and was an activist with the KSTC. At the time of his death, he was an RJD member of the Panchayat Committee in Vanimel.

It had been raining heavily since Tuesday evening when Mathew and his friends went out to check on nearby residents who might be in distress. The first landslide happened when they returned home around midnight. Mathew was separated from his friends and took refuge at a shop. However, at this time, the water flow increased and swept away the shop where Mathew was standing. He went missing in the aftermath.

For the first two days, the search for Mathew was conducted at the accident site using an earthmoving machine. On Thursday, the search expanded to both sides of the river, led by local workers and residents. Mathew's body was found trapped between a tree and the soil, with only his leg visible. The body was retrieved after considerable effort by the NDRF team. Following a special order from the government, the post-mortem was omitted, and the body was handed over to his relatives after inquest proceedings. 

Mathew's funeral was held at St. Alphonsa Church in Vilangad. A temporary bridge was constructed at the landslide site to facilitate access to the church for the last rites. Mathew's body was displayed for public viewing at his newly built house and in the parish hall of Alphonsa Church.