`3 Idiots` school in Ladakh revamped after cloudburst

Leh: The Druk White Lotus School which shot to fame after it featured in Aamir Khan-starrer `3 Idiots` is springing back to life after part of its building was devastated in the cloudburst that struck here last year.

Locals and authorities here are working with enthusiasm to revamp affected class rooms, which were filled with slush and mud in the natural disaster that claimed over 250 lives. `Ranchos` school, situated in Shey town near here was also damaged in the disaster but the school authority is trying hard to bounce things back to normal. "The refurbishing work is on in full swing. We are trying to build floors and classrooms on priority basis. Already we have done a lot of work," school`s principal Prasad Eledath told reporters. He said that about 19 rooms including the computer laboratory and elementary classes block was damaged in the natural disaster on the intervening night of August 5-6, 2010. Following the nature`s wrath, the school administration has initiated a slew of extra curricular activities like mentoring of students to carve out inherent talents in them, yoga and games classes among others. "We are focusing on a number of activities to inculcate habit of team work, mutual understanding, presence of mind among students and encourage them to participate in outdoor activities for their overall development," Eledath said. The school shot to popularity after it was featured in Bollywood flick `3 Idiots` as Rancho`s (Aamir Khan) school. After the movie, the school receives a large number of visitors everyday and locals in this nondescript town happily guide them. "I have come to Leh for the first time. I was so exited to see this place. I was guided by a local here to this school who barely remembered its name but vividly recalled that Aamir Khan came her for shooting. It is a worth visiting place," said Shikha, Delhi-based software professional who was here on a visit to school with her family. Students study Bothi (local language), English and Hindi, along with sciences, social studies, creative arts and sports here. The school is known locally as `Druk Padma Karpo Institute` (`Padma Karpo` means `White Lotus` in Bothi) and is named after Mipham Pema Karpo, who is revered as a great scholar. It has at present a strength of about 620 students and charges fees between Rs 15,000-20,000 annually. Buoyed by the support of pupils and their parents, the school authorities had in April last year opened its second branch in Khachhey near Kargil. PTI