An eight-year-old girl named Tejaswini tragically succumbed to cardiac arrest after collapsing at her school in Chamarajanagar, a town located 160 km from Bengaluru. Tejaswini, the daughter of Shruthi and Lingaraju, was standing in the school corridor with her classmates when she suddenly felt dizzy and lost her balance.
School staff acted quickly and rushed her to JSS Hospital. However, despite their immediate efforts and those of the hospital’s medical team, Tejaswini could not be revived. Doctors confirmed her death due to cardiac arrest, leaving her family, friends, and the school community devastated.
Community In Shock Over Young Girl’s Death
The unexpected death of the young student sent shockwaves through the school. Block Education Officer Hanumanthashetty visited the institution to gather details about the incident. He interacted with staff and students to better understand the circumstances surrounding the tragic event.
Speaking on behalf of the school, Principal Fr. Prabhakar expressed deep sorrow over the incident. “This is an irreplaceable loss for her family and for all of us at the school. She was a bright and joyful student,” he said, reflecting the sentiments of the entire school community, which remains in a state of mourning.
Understanding Cardiac Arrest In Children
While cardiac arrests are more commonly associated with adults, they can also occur in children due to undiagnosed medical conditions or other factors. Experts note that congenital heart defects, inherited arrhythmias, or external triggers such as extreme stress can sometimes lead to such incidents.
Health specialists have emphasized the importance of regular medical check-ups for children and access to immediate life-saving measures like automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in schools. Raising awareness about recognizing early symptoms, such as dizziness or chest discomfort, is also critical.
Separate Tragedy At IIM-Bangalore
In an unrelated incident, a 29-year-old Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIM-B) student, Nilay Kailashbhai Patel, was found dead on the hostel premises. Patel, a second-year Post-Graduate Programme (PGP) student from Gujarat, had celebrated his birthday just hours before his tragic death.
Security personnel discovered Patel unconscious on the hostel lawn early Sunday morning. Despite immediate medical assistance, he was pronounced dead at the hospital. Preliminary investigations suggested Patel may have accidentally fallen from the second floor of the hostel building while returning to his room late at night.
Authorities confirmed there were no signs of suicide. Friends and faculty members recalled Patel as an optimistic individual, excited to begin a new career after securing a job with a fashion e-commerce company.
A Call For Proactive Health And Safety Measures
These two tragic incidents underscore the fragility of life and highlight the importance of proactive measures in schools and campuses. From health screenings for students to ensuring robust safety protocols in residential facilities, institutions are being reminded of their responsibility to prioritize the well-being of their communities.
Both families and communities continue to grieve these untimely losses, emphasizing the unpredictability of life and the importance of cherishing every moment.