TEAM HERALD
PONDA: In a tragic incident, a Class XI science student who failed for the second consecutive time in three subjects, this time with less marks, committed suicide by jumping from the third floor of a building located at the Ponda bus stand.
Vishnu A P Natrajan (18), died on the spot due to head injuries after he jumped off the Princess Heritage building at KTC bus stand, Varkhandem, Ponda.
The suicide shocked people in Ponda, who gathered at the spot in large numbers as it was the second time that a student has committed suicide in Varkhandem within a period of one month. The last time it was a 14-year-old girl who had committed suicide after her mother scolded her for playing with a tablet.
Ponda DySP Dinraj Govekar who rushed to the spot said that the teen was a student of a science college located at Farmagudi.
The final examination results were declared on Tuesday, and most probably on learning that he had failed, Natrajan who was in higher secondary school uniform, jumped off the building, resulting in his instant death.
DySP Govekar speaking to Herald said that he personally felt very sad about the incident. He stated that not only have accident related deaths increased in Ponda, but the number of suicides too are increasing. He declared that Ponda topped the list of towns where suicides were recorded in the State. DySP Govekar called for proper counselling in every class and school to control suicides. Further in order to prevent suicide parents too should not place excessive pressure on students to fulfil their dream of seeing their kids as doctors, engineers or any other professionals especially if this is beyond the capacity of the student. Students should be taken into confidence by parents while deciding their career. “Most importantly parents should be guided at PTA meetings by counsellors so that they will not put pressure on their children to fulfil their dreams, especially since today lot of options or employment opportunities are available compared to traditional jobs,” he said.
Teacher Devanand Satarkar when asked to comment on the pressure on students said, “Students have no time to involve in social and cultural activities, nor do they have time to play because after school hours they are busy with tuitions, as parent pressurise them to study. This should not happen. Students should have exposure to society, friends and relatives and enjoy their play time. Their social involvement will make them understand the world better, especially by mixing with different types of people, through discussions and by observing behaviour in society.”
