Mundakayam: A few days ago, V Vijesh, Principal of Kisumam Higher Secondary School, an institution with a large number of students from tribal communities, asked his students a simple question, "What was the last movie you watched in a theatre?"

One student stood silent. After a moment’s hesitation, the youngster quietly replied, "Sir, I’ve never seen a theatre in my life."

The response deeply moved the principal. Wanting to understand the situation better, he decided to conduct a survey among his students, including those in Plus One and Plus Two. The question remained the same, "What was the last movie you watched in a theatre?"

This time, fourteen students remained silent. None of them had ever stepped inside a cinema hall or experienced the magic of watching a film on the big screen.

Determined to change that, Principal Vijesh shared his idea of taking the children to a theatre with his fellow teachers. They readily agreed and pooled funds among themselves to make it happen. Soon, arrangements were made for the students to travel to RD Cinemas, Mundakayam, in a special vehicle.

The trip was flagged off by Headmistress Sushama Kumari. Accompanying the children were Molamma, the school’s cleaning staff, and Ponnamma, who prepares meals for the students. Teacher Sherin also joined the group to help make the day memorable.

For the first time, these children sat in a theatre and watched Baahubali unfold on the big screen. For some of them, it was also their first time using a lift.