Kollam: A wave of sorrow and solidarity is sweeping through Thevalakkara following the untimely death of 13-year-old Mithun Manu, an eighth-grade student at Thevalakkara Boys' High School. As the community prepares for his funeral, residents are being invited to a public viewing at his school on Saturday from 10 AM, before the final rites at his family home.
The public gathering at the school aims to serve as a communal space for students, teachers, and neighbors to pay respects and grieve together. Organizers hope the ceremony will highlight not only the loss of a young life but also the growing call for improved electrical safety in educational institutions.
Mithun tragically passed away from an electric shock after attempting to retrieve his shoes from the school’s cycle shed an incident that has shocked parents and ignited outrage across Kerala. Investigations are ongoing, and preliminary findings suggest negligence by the school authorities and potential lapses in safety measures.
In light of this tragedy, the State Child Rights Commission and the Child Welfare Committee are inspecting the premises, while the Director of General Education (DGE) prepares his final report. Findings from these bodies may lead to accountability for staff and even suspension of the head teacher, sources indicate.
Support is being mobilized for Mithun’s bereaved parents Manu and Suja. Local organizations have pledged help, and a condolence meeting will be held alongside funeral proceedings. As one community member observed, “Mithun was not just a student; he was a friend, a light in our school. We must honor him and ensure this never happens again.”
Mithun’s funeral will be a private family affair, held later on Saturday at their residence in Valiyapadam, Kallada. However, the public tribute at the school marks a collective stand calling for transparent investigations, better oversight, and justice for a young life lost too soon.