THT lensman Rajesh Gurung tracks down 30-year-old quake  survivor Pramila Nepali after witnessing her rescue on April 25

April 25. 11:56am. A massive earthquake measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale struck the country, affecting the central region the most. Tens of thousands of houses turned into rubble in the blink of an eye. A two-storey mud house belonging to Shambhu Thapa in Chobhar village in Kirtipur was one of those houses.

Minutes before the disaster, 30-year-old Pramila Nepali, originally from Gyang Bhetphu of Dolakha, had gone to take a nap with her seven-year-old son Roshan on the top floor of the house. The house crumbled, the mother and son were buried. Her husband Krishna Nepali was at work in Chobhar gorge, but safe.

A search and rescue group of National Mountain Bike Team worked for hours. Pramila was found deep into the debris, clutching her son close to her chest... Her hands firmly protecting her son from being crushed by the fallen debris. Both had miraculously survived with minor injuries on head, legs and hands. They were rushed to Vayodha Hospital for treatment where they stayed for three days and returned fine.

But where would they return to? They did not have a house.

Seven weeks after disaster, they have settled in a temporary house and are trying to revert to their daily activities.

Their earlier house was crushed, but their resilience was not.

They leased a piece of land from Mohan KC for Rs 5,000 a month in Chobhar. Using zinc sheets, plywood and bamboo, they have built a structure — the Nepali family now has a roof over their head. They spent Rs 30,000 to build the temporary shelter and last week they moved in

“I am thankful to the cyclists of National Mountain Bike Team who risked their lives to save ours,” said Pramila. As the country is in bid to rebuild, Pramila stands as an example of resilience and hope..