CHENNAI: Board Exams have their toll and this year wasn't any different. Driven by fear and failure in the board examinations, at least six students have committed suicide while an equal number have made unsuccessful attempts to end their lives across the state.
The unfortunate teens took the drastic step either by hanging or setting on fire and by consuming pesticide or sleeping pills. Ironically, three of the victims had actually cleared the examinations.
Apprehensive not passing the examination, Ajay of Theni consumed pesticide at his home on Wednesday itself and died at the Government Medical College Hospital not responding to the treatment. He had secured 667 marks. Depressed over the poor score, Elakkiya of Tsunami colony in Semmancherry on the city outskirts hanged herself while Manjula of Erode set herself on fire after dousing with kerosene on Thursday. Elakkiya's score was 745 while Majula got 664.
Of the three other victims, Saranya of Karur and Anandhi of Vettaikarankoil near Erode hanged themselves at their homes after the results were announced while Eswari of Manakkattur village near Dindigul consumed pesticide.
Those six who made vain attempts to end their lives too either consumed poison or sleeping pills. In Salem Kasturi of Suramangalam took cleaning acid while Akalya of Aiyanthirumaligai consumed poison after failing the board examinations. Both were admitted to the Government Mohan Kumaramangalam Medical College Hospital in a critical condition.
A Nagapattinam report said three girls in the district attempted to commit suicide. Rasiya of Edamanal village who consumed pesticide kept at home is battling for life at a hospital in Chidambaram. While Meena who drank kerosene is out of danger, the condition of Kuzhalini of Thandavakkulam who took sleeping pills is also stable.
A ninth standard student too attempted to end her life as she was detained in ninth standard. Daughter of a casual labourer, Kavitha of Vannarai in Erode district, consumed 'cow dung powder' and was rushed the Gobi GH where her condition is stable.