Rebuilding Hope for 150 Students: MakeMyTrip Foundation Inaugurates New School in Flood-Hit Manali
MakeMyTrip Foundation has inaugurated a rebuilt Government High School in Shaleen Village, Manali, replacing temporary classrooms with a modern learning campus. The project highlights how long-term CSR can drive resilient infrastructure and create lasting impact for local communities.
By SOH Edit Team
MakeMyTrip Foundation, the social impact arm of MakeMyTrip, has inaugurated the newly reconstructed Government High School in Shaleen Village, Manali, marking a significant milestone in the region's post-flood rehabilitation journey.
Following the devastating floods that struck Himachal Pradesh in 2023, causing extensive damage to public infrastructure and livelihoods, the Foundation launched a long-term recovery programme with education at its core. The school reconstruction was undertaken in partnership with the Directorate of Higher Education, Himachal Pradesh, with support from the local administration of Manali, the Hotel Association of Manali, and the Rotary Club.
Modern Infrastructure for Students
The school has been rebuilt with the capacity to accommodate up to 150 students. Designed to meet modern educational standards, it now has 8 classrooms, 2 smart classrooms, a science laboratory, a computer laboratory, a library, and a multipurpose hall, giving students in this mountainous region access to infrastructure that matches the standards of larger urban centres.
The new campus brings modern educational infrastructure to a remote mountain community, providing students with learning resources comparable to those available in larger urban centres.
Leadership Perspectives
Dr. Sunil Thakur, Deputy Director, Quality Education, Kullu, highlighted the project's long-term impact, stating that the school represents an investment in future generations and reflects a commitment that extends beyond immediate disaster relief.
Gunjeet Singh Cheema, SDM, Manali, noted that the modern infrastructure will enhance both student learning and classroom teaching, describing the school as a symbol of renewed hope for the local community.
Yuvaraj Srivastava, Trustee, MakeMyTrip Foundation and Group CHRO, MakeMyTrip, emphasised that resilient destinations are built by strengthening the communities that sustain them. He added that providing children with a world-class learning environment is central to the Foundation's vision of inclusive and sustainable development.
Beyond School Reconstruction
The Foundation's rehabilitation efforts extended well beyond education, combining immediate humanitarian assistance with long-term infrastructure restoration across the region.
Key interventions included:
- Contributing materials for the construction of six Bailey bridges
- Donating over 30 metric tonnes of interlink chains for landslide protection walls
- Supporting restoration of irrigation and water supply systems in Kaza
- Providing rescue equipment to local volunteer groups
- Distributing relief kits to more than 600 affected families
- Extending assistance to an old-age home, an orphanage, and a hostel for differently abled women
The Shaleen Village school project demonstrates how corporate philanthropy can evolve from emergency relief to sustainable community development. By investing in resilient educational infrastructure, MakeMyTrip Foundation is helping rebuild not only a school but also opportunities for future generations in one of India's most tourism-dependent mountain regions.
