Kullu flood: HVT Foundation adopts 2 villages

When raging floods swept through the Kullu valley, tearing apart homes, farms and livelihoods, the devastation left behind seemed insurmountable. Villagers displaced from their roots faced not just the immediate hardship of survival, but also the daunting uncertainty of rebuilding lives from scratch.

Amid this bleak backdrop, a glimmer of hope has emerged from within the mountains themselves. The Himalayan Volunteer Tourism (HVT) Foundation has announced that it will adopt two of the worst-hit villages, undertaking their complete rehabilitation and long-term transformation.

This step marks more than just relief — it signals a blueprint for sustainable recovery. Unlike many disaster responses that focus on short-term aid, HVT’s effort draws strength from its longstanding relationship with Himalayan communities. Co-founder Panki Sood emphasises that this mission, called Rebuild Kullu, is not an isolated project but a natural extension of years of grassroots engagement. “We can’t help one, but everyone can help a few. Together, this can rebuild communities,” he said, encapsulating the organisation’s philosophy of collective action.

For over a decade, the HVT has earned the trust of mountain communities by embedding itself in their everyday struggles and dreams. From sending volunteer teachers to government schools in remote areas, to leading environmental clean-up drives across fragile Himalayan trails, the foundation has consistently prioritised long-term empowerment over token gestures. Its work has always revolved around co-creating solutions with villagers, fostering resilience rather than dependency. That very ethos is now at the heart of their flood recovery mission.

The funding for Rebuild Kullu reflects the same spirit of solidarity. So far, the HVT has mobilised around Rs 70,000 through its network of volunteers and well-wishers. Among these contributions, one story stands out: an anonymous donor from Delhi auctioned a personal bottle of perfume, raising Rs 15,000 and donating every rupee to the cause. Such gestures, both symbolic and practical, echo the belief that collective effort, however modest, can move mountains.

The rehabilitation plan itself is designed to restore dignity and stability to the affected families. Education is one of the pillars — volunteers will step in as teachers to ensure children’s learning does not become another casualty of the floods. Equally critical is economic recovery. Villagers who lost their fields and trade will be supported in regaining livelihoods, including through HVT’s ongoing initiative, Sip Himalaya, which promotes apple growers’ products. By linking welfare to local enterprise, the foundation aims to create a cycle where commerce strengthens community well-being.

What sets HVT apart in this crowded relief space is its refusal to chase headlines. Unlike publicity-heavy aid operations, its work is deliberately discreet, with only minimal documentation for record-keeping. The focus, Panki stresses, must remain on the people, not the promoters. By adopting villages for holistic revival — rather than doling out temporary aid — the HVT is charting an alternative model of post-disaster recovery.