Balasore student suicide sparks outrage in North America
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The incident has become a rallying point for non-resident Odias who maintain strong ties with their homeland.
Sanjay Kumar Dalai, an IT manager-cum-entrepreneur, said he was deeply disturbed on learning about the tragedy — more so because he is an alumnus of the same college where it occurred. "News like this not only harms our image but shatters the trust of millions who dream of returning home, contributing to society, and living without fear," Dalai said from Toronto.
The fear, many said, also extends to their family members back home. "Such experiences don't just pass. They linger as trauma, shaping how we feel about public spaces, trust, and even our own freedom. The helplessness the girl must have felt is heartbreaking," said Nina Rautray, an IT professional living in Oakville, Ontario, and originally from Jatni. She added, "We often keep telling our daughters how to keep themselves safe, but rarely teach our sons how to behave in a civilised society.
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Many called for the culprits to be brought to book. "The girl must have faced a lot of bullying in college. Society must come together to oppose such harassment. I urge the govt and investigating agencies to take strict action against the perpetrators," said Pankaj Panda, a software professional based in Lincoln, Rhode Island, and a native of Bargarh.
Equally important, many stressed, is the need to put a system in place to prevent such incidents in the future.
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"Every educational institution should have a strong disciplinary and fact-finding committee to tackle such issues and concerns," said Panda.
Echoing his thoughts, Sandhyashree Pathania from Richmond Hill, Toronto, said, "Often, girls who lack strong emotional support become targets of mischievous elements. An active student safety centre is needed on every campus. Institutions should have trained counsellors, and parent-teacher meetings should be held twice a month to ensure student well-being."
Devika Tripathy, a homemaker from Los Angeles and originally from Bhanjanagar, said, "The youth must work towards building a healthy society for themselves, serve as each other's support system, and raise their voice when such incidents occur."
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Time of India
17-07-2025
- Time of India
Balasore student suicide sparks outrage in North America
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