Meppadi: Eight-year-old Avantika, a third-grader from Vellarmala School, recounted the terrifying night of the landslide to Prime Minister Narendra Modi with tearful eyes. "When the soil and water from the landslide swept into our house, my mother and I were carried away. A tree fell on my mother. I was swept away again, but an uncle came and picked me up," Avantika shared with a trembling voice as she relived the tragic events.
Avantika and her family lived in Padi, Mundakkai, a village now scarred by the landslide. Tragically, her father Prasobh, her mother Vijayalakshmi and her brother Ashwin, are still missing, along with several other family members. However, this devastating news has been kept from Avantika. Her grandmother and relatives have not yet informed her the same.
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The Prime Minister met Avantika during his visit to Dr Moopen's Medical College in Meppadi, where she is currently receiving care. As she continued to recount her story, she described the pain she felt that night. "I was with another lady for some time. My head and leg hurt so much," she said, the trauma evident in her words.
Moved by her account, PM Modi comforted Avantika, gently patting her on the shoulder. He also asked her several questions about the incident. "I started crying, and to console me, he gave me a candy," Avantika recalled, her eyes welling up as she spoke.
Later, Avantika shared her experience with her teacher, Anish, from Vellarmala School, who regularly visits her to check on her well-being. She told him how she carefully kept the candy under her pillow, choosing not to eat it immediately. "It was given to me by the Prime Minister with love," she explained, cherishing the small token of comfort during such a difficult time.
Published: 11 Aug 2024, 09:47 am IST
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