An Island of Devastation in the Middle of the Valley
The climb to Ganesi village is not easy for those of us who live in the plains. Nestled in a nook of the Himalayas, it is now an island of destruction.
Of the 30 houses, only two remain. The rest are just an ignominious heap on the ground. Outside one house lie kitchen utensils scrubbed clean, along with red bangles and pink plastic flowers.
Asked how they managed to save their lives when the quake struck, not once but several times, 65-year-old Rampyari, gets emotional.
"It was terrifying, the ground was shaking continuously. Part of the collapsing roof fell on my head."
Her grandson Saroj is looking for exam answer sheets amid the rubble.
A teacher at the local school, he is worried that once the school reopens, the children will ask for their marks. The only hitch -- he is not sure when the schools will reopen.
On a cracked wall of the neighbouring house, hangs a clock, frozen at quarter to one -- a tragic reminder of the first big jolt. Behind it, the entire house has collapsed.
As we head down the slope, a man, teary-eyed, says we are the only ones to come here.
Pointing to one of the two intact houses, he says, "One of the girls there jumped from the roof to save herself."
The house stands tall in the flattened village. But its residents have pitched tents with everyone else.
Fear still looms large.