JOIN USIt also brought to the fore the power of a social networking forum like Facebook and the negative impact it can have on its users. But what is more unfortunate is that suicide cases among the youth does not end with Malini.
Suicide captial Bangalore also tops in the list of maximum suicides among youth in 2010 with 657 cases reported between ages 15 and 29 years.
Strictly going by statistics, metros across India with the so-called ‘modern’ and developed culture are hot spots for suicides among the youth. The only other cities that come close to Bangalore are Delhi with 651, Mumbai with 582 and Chennai with 472 cases.
So what exactly pushes youngsters to the brink? Sa-Mudra Foundation founder K E Radhakrishna opines that Bangalore is a city of terrible contrasts, and places financial, occupational and aspirational pressure on the youth. “The children today speak to mobiles phones, laptops, tablets and the Internet.
Not to his or her own parents. The concept of dining table family meals is very important, but it has vanished,” says Radhakrishna. Sa-Mudra receives 20 calls on an average daily from youngsters complaining about various issues in their life.
Among these, roughly five calls are related to the complex suicidal tendency. Shakun Mohini, member of NGO Vimochana, says, “There are lots of young girls who come to us seeking help and the numbers are rising. Many carry along with them a dangerous suicidal tendency.” Out of the 657 suicide cases, 329 are of females.
“The City may be modern, but the modernity has yet to seep into homes. People in Bangalore live with double standards. Middle and upper class parents give their girl child plenty of freedom, but they are not supposed to ‘fall in love’,” comments Shakun.
Failure in education has also become a prime reason and yet again the City tops the list in most number of suicides due to failure in examination with 50 cases. The ever-growing communication gap between parents and their children is a major cause of concern.
While there are many organisations catering to help distressed youngsters, there is no improvement yet. A call Sa-Mudra received two years earlier still remains in Radhakrishna’s mind. Girl: “Is this a helpline number?”. “Yes”. “Then will you help me commit suicide?”
The 18-year-old caller went on to represent India in the national volleyball championships overcoming the suicidal tendency thanks to counselling for a few minutes.
While Deccan Herald cannot reveal her name, the important point is that the tendency to suicide comes as a temporary excuse for not facing the hardships which are themselves temporary. Experts say youngsters must overcome this moment by talking to someone or call a helpline. If cases such as Malini’s are not seriously addressed, Bangalore is most likely to hold the first rank again in 2012.