Bhubaneswar, Jan 13: In a heartbreaking incident, Utkalika Swain, a second-year student at Utkal Sangeet Mahavidyalaya, tragically took her own life by hanging in her hostel room on Monday. The 19-year-old, originally from Kendrapara, reportedly used her stole to hang herself from the ceiling fan in her room, number 21, while her two roommates were away on holiday.
Concerned friends noticed something was wrong when they found her room locked for several hours in the morning. “When we arrived at college, her door was locked from the inside. We tried calling her, but there was no response. After knocking, we alerted the hostel matron, who forced the door open and discovered her hanging,” a friend recounted.
The reasons behind Swain’s tragic decision remain unclear. Police have taken her body for a post-mortem examination and initiated an investigation, informing her family of the unfortunate news.
The college principal described Swain as a promising student involved in the Odissi dance program. “She had been unwell and missed many classes, but I noticed no signs of depression. She appeared well when she attended an Odissi dance event last Saturday.” The incident has raised concerns about student mental health and the pressures they face.
Tragic death of Utkal Sangeet Mahavidyalaya student sparks investigation
