Manjummel Boys Real Story: The 2006 Kodaikanal Rescue Incident

The Manjummel Boys' real story is one that has captured the curiosity of many. n 2006, ten friends from an arts club in Kochi embarked on an unforgettable trip to Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu, during the Onam vacation. What started as a fun-filled excursion quickly turned into a terrifying experience when one of their group members, Subhash, fell into the infamous Guna Caves. This is the gripping story of their struggle to save him and the heroism that followed.

The Manjummel Boys' real story is one that has captured the curiosity of many. In 2006, ten friends from an arts club in Kochi embarked on an unforgettable trip to Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu, during the Onam vacation. What started as a fun-filled excursion quickly turned into a terrifying experience when one of their group members, Subhash, fell into the infamous Guna Caves. This is the gripping story of their struggle to save him and the heroism that followed.

The True Tale of the Manjummel Boys | Movie 2024 | Manjummel Boys Real Story: The 2006 Kodaikanal Rescue Incident

The Trip to Kodaikanal: An Adventure Begins

Trip to Kodaikanal: Ten friends from Kochi planned a trip during the Onam vacation.
Subhash’s Accident: He fell into a deep hole in the Guna Caves while exploring a restricted area.
Struggle for Help: Initially, the police accused the group of foul play but later agreed to help.
Kuttan’s Bravery: Siju David (Kuttan) risked his life to rescue Subhash from 120 feet deep.
Aftermath: Subhash recovered through trauma therapy, and Kuttan was awarded the Jeevan Raksha Padak for his bravery.
Manjummel Boys poster | The Trip to Kodaikanal: An Adventure Begins

During their trip, the friends explored Kodaikanal. Before leaving, Sudhi, one of the group, mentioned the Guna Caves, famous as a filming location for the movie Gunaa. Despite warnings from their guide, Dominic, about restricted areas in the caves, the group—inebriated and curious—decided to explore further. They etched their group name "Manjummel Boys" onto a cave wall, but what followed would change their lives forever.

The Accident: Subhash's Fall

As they regrouped to take a photo, Subhash suddenly fell into a deep hole. At first, his friends thought it was a joke, but his lack of response quickly shifted the mood from playful to panic. Some friends immediately went for help, but locals informed them that thirteen others had previously fallen into the same hole—dubbed "The Devil’s Kitchen" by the British—and none were ever recovered. The hole was said to be over 900 feet deep.

The Struggle for Help: Police and Locals Hesitate

The group rushed to the police station for help, but instead, they were accused of illegally entering a restricted area and even charged with Subhash's "murder." The police initially showed little interest in rescuing Subhash. Only after some persuasion and the threat of local backlash did the officers agree to help. A police officer accompanying the group revealed that even the nephew of a former Central Minister had fallen into the same hole a decade earlier, and rescue attempts had failed.

The Rescue Attempt: A Friend's Bravery

When the fire department arrived, they estimated that Subhash had fallen around 120 feet deep. They attempted to lower a rope, but when doubts arose about the success of the rescue, one of the friends, Siju David, also known as Kuttan, bravely volunteered to go down the hole himself. Kuttan was lowered down but ran out of rope. Undeterred, he insisted on continuing, hearing Subhash's faint cries. More rope was provided, and Kuttan finally reached Subhash, who was found lying injured on a ledge.

Kuttan managed to pull Subhash up, and the friends rushed him to a clinic and then to a hospital in Kochi. The police, realizing the seriousness of the situation, allowed them to leave without pressing further charges.

Aftermath: Heroic Recognition

Subhash, though traumatized by the ordeal, gradually recovered through therapy. Kuttan’s heroic rescue did not stay a secret for long. Two years later, he was awarded the Jeevan Raksha Padak for his extraordinary bravery in saving his friend.

While many have heard rumors about the Manjummel Boys, few know the full story. This group of childhood friends grew up in the quiet streets of Manjummel, but their bond and unique experiences set them apart. Over time, they became a close-knit group, facing numerous challenges that tested their friendship. However, their resilience and loyalty to one another became their defining trait.

  • Trip to Kodaikanal: Ten friends from Kochi planned a trip during the Onam vacation.
  • Subhash’s Accident: He fell into a deep hole in the Guna Caves while exploring a restricted area.
  • Struggle for Help: Initially, the police accused the group of foul play but later agreed to help.
  • Kuttan’s Bravery: Siju David (Kuttan) risked his life to rescue Subhash from 120 feet deep.
  • Aftermath: Subhash recovered through trauma therapy, and Kuttan was awarded the Jeevan Raksha Padak for his bravery.

The story of the Manjummel Boys is more than just local lore. It's a testament to the power of friendship, loyalty, and perseverance in the face of adversity.

In short about the incident and movie

As the story of the Manjummel Boys continues to intrigue many, one thing is clear: their journey has left a lasting impact on their community and beyond. The lessons of friendship and overcoming challenges remain at the core of their legacy. Want to dive deeper into their journey? Stay tuned for more!

The Why

the why

So why am I writing a piece of work (that is presently a spreadsheet) to help our friends and online community and families “maximize minimalism to create resilient sustainable homes”.

the why It will become a course you see. A pathway for ordinary people like us to live

It will become a course you see. A pathway for ordinary people like us to live. There will be an email list. A course and a community. Tons of useful tips and facts. And a lot of discussion.

So why am I launching into this?

Well, for a start I have been walking the walk for quite some time now, so it is time I talked the talk!

The why It will become a course you see. A pathway for ordinary people like us to live

Maybe it is a guilty conscience – I feel awfully guilty for the years when I did not even think of the environment I lived in. Though we have to get over the guilt. It is not useful. The planet is turning into a rubbish heap: so change it- we need to stop whinging about how bad we feel. Feeling guilty helps no-one. Get over it and get on with it.

Maybe because we have to start now. Here. To make a stand for Simply Living Simply.

Maybe because I feel happier and healthier eating clean food and living lightly and I want to help us all do that too? (yuk that sounds so sanctimonious).

Maybe because we need to combine modern technology with old fashioned norms to enable good happy wholesome lives for our grandchildren’s children. But where is that information?

The why the sky is clear and blue

Maybe because HOME is the most beautiful word and we all need to feel secure in the ability of our homes to shelter and protect us from the elements. Yes, I will be talking about architecture too.

Maybe because we are on the cusp of great changes environmentally, financially, and climatically so we have to thoughtfully design a way of living that can adapt fast to the changes ahead. I will be talking to the money guys too – investing in solar and wind is a thing. Self-powering houses! I love that!

We have become dependent. How I hate being dependent.

the why farm is green

I saw a question on LinkedIn the other day asking how often you make a home-cooked meal but the writer had another term for it. I can’t remember what it was. Not ‘from scratch’ – some other term. Oh, I know what it was – prepped. How often do you prep a meal.

But SO MANY of the comments were from people who did not cook!

No one taught them how?

They missed the point?

So many people were saying that home cooking was for the holidays. When they got hungry they got take-out delivered or went to the supermarket to buy a meal. They gave away the power of food.

But the expense! My poor frugal heart! and the packaging! Plastic packaging is not cool. And losing touch with the concept of cooking a meal and serving it hot at a table. We are the next Incas.

Wherever I live there is a home cooked meal every night. (And to be clear I am not the only one cooking). If I am alone (and left to my own devices) I pan fry grated potatoes with bacon and onion into a kind of frittata but in a pan. Then cover it in grated cheese and flip – sometimes that works – so the cheese becomes the base and cooks and sizzles and caramalizes (and nothing makes me happier than fried cheese) then when everything is crunchy I lay it, like a huge potato pancake, on a plate and cover it in vegetables and Greek yoghurt.

When I make pasta I make extra for the freezer. Especially ravioli. That’s prepping. Right?

If I am being clever the fresh vegetables I buy are immediately cut up into serving size pieces and stored together in a covered glass bowl in the fridge. So I can just reach in for a serving of veg every night.

I need to go back and find that LinkedIn post so I can say I prep too!

So why am I writing this piece of work? Why am I creating a three month course?

I want to build a community of like minded individuals and families and companies who can support each other in building resilient sustainable homes and work spaces. So we can move forward with confidence. So our food and supply chains are safe and local. So we can save each other from the flood. Not just pretend the storm is not coming then wait for help.

I can do the heavy lifting. My team and I will do the research – by the way you are on my team. And we will get the info into peoples pockets.

I want to spread the word that we CAN do something. That our actions are viable and respected.

the why cow looks innocent

I know that changing from a plastic toothbrush to a compostable one won’t actually overcome plastic pollution but it will change the way we think. It is a chicken step. Scratch Scratch Peck. Remember? And we are a whole flock. Together we can make a difference.

No doom and gloom- I promise.

?Live Simply so the Planet can Live Large.

☀️Maximize Minimalism.

✨Create Resilient Sustainable Homes.

?PreCycle

PRE-CYCLE! This is my new word. Or (in other words) don’t bring that shit into the house to begin with. I don’t want to have to throw it into an over filled recycling bin with another dubious journey ahead of it.

the why we should use cotton bags

I still have single use plastic in my sights. Much of this plastic is convenient. Individual punnets of anything are a luxury. And the convenience of easy disposal has made us lazy.

Maybe we need to toughen up and get used to the idea that our lifestyles today can not be as convenient as they were a decade ago.

So – as my Farmy researchers and The Fellowship – what can you and I ban from the house this week.

The latest: Plastic Bin liners. GONE. Small containers of cat food! GONE. Plastic toothbrushes. GONE. (Though all the toothbrushes I have used across my life STILL EXIST somewhere- never gone- aah).

?OK – what else?

LEGO is allowed because I have Lego that is forty years old and yet another generation of kids play with it. So Lego is on the good list!! ?? it is reused again and again and again.

See! Not all doom and gloom!

So, what do you think?

Cecilia

PS As usual I seldom edit when writing my blog – because I am amongst friends. So let’s pull this apart and put it back together in the comments.

PSS ?The trees come this week!

The article credited to The Kitchen's Garden