The location could not have been more historic. In 2018, Kerala’s most devastating flood brought the entire area under water, torrents gushing down and sweeping awayhouses, cars, and everything valuable. Precious lives were lost, and those who survived still have haunting memories.
The bank of Periyar, where our story unfolds, has historic and religious significance. A few hundred meters away, stands the famous Aluva Shiva Temple, where hundreds of thousands congregate on Sivarathri night and day.
Years ago, the bank was sandy, so thick with white sand, you had to struggle to take your steps. With constant and illegal sand mining, the sandbank now resembles a green paddy field – dotted with large puddles and grazing buffaloes.
The sand mining brought tragedy. People were caught in torrents and many swept into deep, unexpected holes.
And it is here at Desam Kadavu that a transformation is underway – one man, making waves of change.
When you walk down to the bank of the river, you feel the palpable excitement in the air. You see children, young adults, and even the elderly make a beeline early in the morning. Their mission: To learn swimming.
Amidst the pitter-patter and chitter-chatter, you hear a man shouting ‘Makkale’ (meaning kids).
That man is their master: Saji Valassery – who has transformed swimming instruction into an act of altruism, never charging a single rupee.
Along with his team of experts, from November to May, he trains hundreds of people to swim with one mission: ensuring that no one ever drowns again!.
Saji says that the biggest obstacle to learning how to navigate the waters is fear. That is why his single-minded mission is to overcome their deepest fears for the water.
In many ways, it was the ‘water’ that also inspired him to undertake the mission. Since 16 years – two years after the 2007 Thattekad boat accident that claimed some 18 lives, including 15 students, Saji commenced training others, irrespective of age, skills and even physical disabilities.
To date, his Valasseril River Swimming Club has taught more than 15,000 people to swim – all without charging anything.
His 16-day program is structured like an academic curriculum. very student, regardless of experience, begins at “pre-kindergarten” and progresses through “post-doctorate.” Then the graduates take the ultimate challenge – crossing the mighty river Periyar.
There are steel frames set for beginners to learn basic movements before they enter the water. Tyre tubes and floaties create training swimming lanes in the river, where students progress at their own pace.
Each morning, volunteers – many of them former students – take their positions along these lanes, ensuring every new swimmer feels secure.
But what truly sets this initiative apart is its radical inclusivity.
The club has become a sanctuary where physical limitations and social barriers dissolve in the gentle current.
A visually impaired student became the first to cross Kerala’s largest river. Another trainee made history as the first woman to traverse the Vembanad Lake at its widest point. Even more remarkably, some students with limited mobility have experienced unexpected physical improvements through their time in the water.
Safety remains paramount. A dedicated ambulance and rescue boat stand ready, while strict protocols ensure every woman and child has a guardian watching from designated areas.
The impact extends beyond swimming skills. The club has evolved into a vibrant community where former students return as volunteers, contributing to a cycle of learning and giving.
Success stories range from small personal victories to record-breaking achievements, including a young swimmer who entered the Asian Book of Records.
As Kerala continues to witness with drowning incidents – with a reported 500 lives lost in 2024 alone – Valassery’s mission has gained new urgency.
His team now conducts awareness campaigns across the state, including in Kochi’s metro system, spreading their message of water safety beyond the riverbank.
The classes pause during the monsoon when the river grows treacherous. But even the seasonal break can’t dampen the community’s spirit.
Each November, volunteers and students return eagerly, drawn by the unique atmosphere of learning and mutual support that Valassery has cultivated.
Through transforming tragedy into purpose, he has created more than a place to learn swimming for free – he defines humanity’s power of conviction to make a difference, one gentle lap at a time.
You can follow Saji at https://www.instagram.com/saji.valasseril/
