While many city-dwellers dream of leaving the hustle and bustle behind to settle in a place closer to nature, not everyone takes steps to fulfil them. Among the few who do so is Portia Putatunda, who quit her journalism job in Mumbai to start a free boarding school in Komic, the world’s highest village. Situated at a breathtaking altitude of 15,500 ft in Himachal Pradesh’s Lahaul and Spiti district, the school is housed in a rustic building with six rooms and caters to underprivileged children from Spiti tehsil. Inspired by her late father Speaking to indianexpress.com, Putatunda said it was her father Ramkrishna Putatunda’s unwavering dedication to underprivileged children that inspired her to start the school. “In 2016, when I lost my father, it prompted me to embark on a journey to find a connection with him. I explored various places but couldn’t shake off the persistent thought of Spiti. Its remoteness, lack of resources and generations trapped in the cycle of poverty tugged at my heart,” she said. It was while pursuing her career in journalism that Putatunda stumbled on this “enchanting, albeit rundown place in Komic”. “It struck me as the ideal location for Planet Spiti’s free boarding school, nestled at an altitude of 15,500 ft, in the world’s highest village,” she said. However, it wasn’t the first choice, as Kaza, another place in the same district, offered better road connectivity and amenities. But it did not match her modest budget. “This rustic building, with its six rooms and abundant fresh air, presented an opportunity to create a haven for underprivileged children from Spiti. Here, they could not only receive an education but also enjoy a safe and clean environment surrounded by open fields to explore,” she said. Life in Komic Life in Komic is anything but ordinary and it can be demanding. The village witnesses sub-zero temperatures throughout the year. Putatunda said the day at the school begins with the essential task of lighting the indoor fireplace, known as the tandoor, to combat the biting cold. “Boiling milk for the children and water for our basic needs follows. After breakfast, we set aside time for some light exercises. Classes start around 10 am and continue till 2 pm,” she said. After classes, the students engage in activities like art and gardening. Playtime extends until dusk, which marks the onset of intense cold. “We then provide a nourishing meal, followed by some milk, fruits or snacks as we collectively tackle homework. The evening concludes with a bit of television time for the kids, dinner and well-deserved rest,” she said. Putatunda said the challenges of running a school at such a location “are as vast and formidable as the breathtaking landscape that surrounds us”. “While lack of funds has been a persistent hurdle, the scarcity of manpower, both in terms of teachers and support staff, has put an immense strain on our operations,” she said. “Even in neighbouring Ladakh, which is at a lower altitude of 11,000 ft, what seems feasible there often appears impossible here. Komic’s stark landscape, devoid of a single tree or shrub, exacerbates the challenges, making every breath a conscious effort,” she said. Surviving at 15,500 ft becomes a challenge with its own set of trials—sub-zero temperatures that plummet to even -38 degrees in winter, seven months of snow cover, frozen water and food supplies and unreliable power. Sometimes, there is no cellular or internet access for days, hampering communication and access to online resources. However, the challenges fuel her determination to overcome the odds and create a brighter future for the children. Contributors and sponsors Putatunda funded the school primarily with her savings accumulated over her decade-long career. “Additionally, we’ve received support from individual contributors and sponsors who have stepped up to help us cover the costs of some students and monthly expenses,” she said. To make the most of their limited resources, they are constantly finding ways to cut expenses. For instance, heating the school in winter costs a substantial amount, with firewood alone costing Rs 60,000 annually. And given the scarcity of trees in Spiti, they have turned to collecting cow dung from the mountains as a cost-effective alternative to keep the school warm.
