KARUR: A class IX boy is battling for survival after a prank played by a senior at a science exhibition turned almost fatal. According to sources, a science exhibition was organised at the Government Higher Secondary School in Tunavasipatti on October 18, 2016.
Among those who visited the event were E Gokul, a Class IX student, and a Class X student, who hails from Mathipatti village. As the two were going around, the senior student offered Gokul a drink saying it was ‘sugar solution’.
Within minutes of drinking it, Gokul collapsed. Panic-stricken school teachers rushed him to a nearby hospital, which referred him to a private hospital in Tiruchy. It emerged that Gokul was made to drink a solution of baking soda (Sodium Bicarbonate), and it caused extensive damage to his food pipe. According to doctors, the food pipe contracted due to infection.
After two weeks of treatment, Gokul was discharged and the hospital informed his parents that he would need intensive treatment after the initial wounds healed. The hitch was the cost of the treatment is prohibitive and Gokul’s parents are daily wage labourers.
Gokul retuned to school but because of the damage suffered, he kept fainting and throwing up following which the school management sent him home with the assurance that he can avail of as much leave as necessary.
Worried about their son’s deteriorating condition, Gokul’s parents admitted him to the SRM hospital, where is currently undergoing treatment.
Recalling the incident, Gokul’s mother said, “My son is unable to recover from the illness after consuming the baking soda solution. The school should have monitored children carefully that day, which could have prevented such an accident.”
Sakthivel, headmaster of the school, acknowledged that such an incident took place and pointed out that officials took Gokul to the hospital and provided him with first aid. Further, he added that teachers had contributed from their pockets to pay for Gokul’s initial stay in the hospital.
When contacted, Chief Education Officer of Karur M Ramasamy, said he will enquire about Gokuls current condition adding that he was informed that the former had rejoined school after the incident.