Oshwal Academy remembers students lost in Westgate Mall attack

Kaisra Virani (left) and Raisah Virani, survivors of the attack

NAIROBI: Two years ago Oshwal Academy mourned the loss of three of its students to a cowardly act of terrorism. The scars remain, though no one talks about it.

Pramsu Jain, Pavraj Singh Ghataurhae and Neha Manish Mashru lost their lives in the Westgate mall siege. After the attack, a memorial was held in their honour. Also remembered were Mitul Amratlal Shah, a former student of the School, and Anuj Virchand Shah, who was father to a student.

Nine-year-old Pramsu and his family had just relocated to Kenya and he had gone shopping with his mother when the attack happened.

Pavraj was shot while trying to protect his grandmother, with whom he had gone to cheer his friend Neha at a cooking competition. Neha was a school prefect and a finalist of the competition that was being held at the mall.

Mitul Amratlal Shah, a former student and the Sales and Marketing Director at Bidco Oil, was at the cooking competition on behalf of the sponsors. He saved 20 children before being gunned down. Oshwal's Director of Education Peter Barton said two years later, the wounds are still fresh but the students are coping.

"The students still remember the incident. Those who experienced it closely are settled, no one talks about it anymore yet we are concerned," Barton said.

He added that the school brought in counsellors and motivational speakers who helped the students with the healing process.

The school continues to have regular safety and security classes to help students handle their own security and avoid risky situations.

"It is a good thing to know such programmes are producing a good effect, as I have noticed students have become more alert," Barton said.

Prayers will be held in memory of the three students during the second year anniversary. For Neha, there were prayers at Iscon temple yesterday from 11 – 2pm. There were also prayers for Pramsu and Pavraj in their respective places of worship.