Heroic Teacher Saves 1,643 Students from Devastating Flood in Nepal
Catastrophic Flooding in Nepal
Kathmandu. A severe flood in Nepal has wreaked havoc in the Trishuli Valley, engulfing entire villages and sweeping away a three-story school building. However, the quick thinking of one teacher saved the lives of 1,643 children. Rajendra Dawadi, the principal and English teacher at Tribhuvan Trishuli Secondary School, has become a global sensation for his heroic actions. Indian businessman Anand Mahindra praised him on social media, calling him his #MondayMotivation.
How Were 1,643 Lives Saved?
On Wednesday morning around 9:20 AM, Rajendra Dawadi received a call from a friend warning him that the village was being swept away by the river. Initially, he believed the school was safe, situated about 60 meters above the river. However, a parent arrived at the school with alarming news that the water was rising rapidly.
Without wasting a moment, Dawadi rang the school bell and instructed teachers to evacuate all classes immediately. Students and staff rushed to higher ground. He also contacted the bus drivers, advising them not to come to the school and to turn back. Most drivers received his message, and he even signaled a bus crossing a bridge to stop. Moments later, that bridge was submerged.
Safe Haven Under a Bodhi Tree
The children made their way on foot to higher ground and took shelter under a Bodhi tree. Shortly after, the floodwaters completely swept away the school building. The three-story concrete structure vanished, but all 1,643 students were safe.
Tragic Loss of Two Staff Members
Unfortunately, not all staff members were as fortunate. Santosh Pariyar, a social studies teacher, returned to a rented room by the river to prepare breakfast and was swept away. The school’s caretaker, Sultan Lama, also perished while trying to secure the doors.
Anand Mahindra's Commendation
Anand Mahindra expressed his admiration for this act of bravery on social media, stating, "A warning. A swift decision. 1,643 lives saved. When floodwaters approached their school, headmaster Rajendra Dawadi rang the bell, turned the buses back, and led the children to safety. In those critical moments, he created an extraordinary legacy: saving 1,643 children and gifting Nepal their future. What greater legacy can a teacher leave?" He labeled it as #MondayMotivation.
Rajendra Dawadi: A True Hero
Rajendra Dawadi remains humble about his actions, stating, "What else could I have done? If we had been even 10 minutes late, perhaps none of us would be here today." Locals are calling him a hero. According to the Nepal police, hundreds have died in this flood, with thousands missing. The disaster was triggered by a glacial collapse, resulting in waves of water, ice, rocks, and debris that swallowed many villages.
This incident highlights how a timely and correct decision by one individual can save countless lives. Rajendra Dawadi's story has become an inspiration not just for Nepal but for the entire world. With figures like Anand Mahindra praising him, it is evident that this is a true legacy—one that saves lives beyond textbooks.