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Unable to Afford a Smartphone, Maharashtra Girl Commits Suicide

The police told on Wednesday that it is a shocking incident that a farm widow’s 15-year-old daughter studying in SSC. Unable to afford a smartphone to attend her online education classes, committed suicide.

The Investigating Officer Balkrishna Jagdale of Kara Police Station told that the incident happened last Wednesday in a small village of Ond around 15 kilometres away from Karad town.

“The victim, Sakshi Abasaheb Pol was a student of Secondary School Certificate (SSC) with the Pandit G.B. Pant High School nearby and was required to attend online classes since the past few months in view of the corona pandemic,” Jagdale told IANS.

Her widowed mother Swati, who works as a farm labourer in the village, could not afford a smartphone for her daughter. As the family’s income was barely sufficient to survive.

Sakshi had been demanding for a smartphone since the past few months, but her mother kept telling her to “wait till we have enough money.”

Swati left to work in the farmlands on the morning of September 23. An infuriated Sakshi again made the demand but her mother expressed sheer helplessness in the matter.

Sakshi hanged herself, shortly after her mother left for work. She was found dead later by the family and neighbours, said Jagdale.

“We have not made any arrests since there is no complaint and no foul play is suspected in the matter,” the official added.

Sakshi joined the long list of young students hailing from very poor families who could not keep up with their studies due to the pandemic.  Sakshi took her own life, as she was unable to manage to buy a smartphone or a computer with internet connections to comply with the requirements of online education.

Earlier in the month of June, a 16-year-old student of class 10th, concerned about her academic performance after she failed to attempt the online classes, committed suicide, Due to the unavailability of Smartphone or a Computer. This incident took place in Nischinda area of Howrah district of West Bengal.

 

source: with input from ians