DAVANAGERE: Six days after the suicide of Chandrasekaran (45), Superintendent of the Maharishi Valmiki Schedule Tribe Development Corporation, another tragic incident has occurred. P S Goudar, a contractor with the Karnataka Rural Infrastructure Development Limited (KRIDL), ended his life over unpaid bills. Goudar, a resident of Santhebennur in Channagiri taluk, left a suicide note on May 26, alleging harassment and non-payment of dues amounting to Rs 5,00,000 for work completed in 2023-24.
Goudar’s widow, Vasanthakumari, filed a complaint with the Santhebennur police, citing financial distress and harassment by KRIDL officials. She highlighted that despite repeated appeals to officials in Bengaluru and Davanagere, no action was taken to clear the pending dues. The situation was exacerbated by a poor mango crop yield and the need to mortgage gold to pay for their daughter’s school fees.
The family, demanding a fair probe, claims that Goudar’s brothers were also financially cheated by KRIDL officials. This incident, following closely on the heels of Chandrasekaran’s suicide, has intensified political tensions, with the BJP targeting the current Congress government over alleged corruption and mismanagement.
If you are feeling suicidal or have suicidal thoughts, please know that you are not alone and there is help available. You can call any of the following helpline numbers in India to talk to someone who will listen to you and support you.
1. National Suicide Prevention Helpline: 1800-121-3667. This is a toll-free number that provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones
2. Aasra: 9820466726. This is a 24/7 helpline that offers non-judgmental and non-critical listening to anyone who needs emotional support
3. iCall: 022-25521111. This is a helpline run by the Tata Institute of Social Sciences that offers professional counselling, information and referrals to anyone in need of mental health care. It operates from Monday to Saturday, 8 am to 10 pm
Please do not hesitate to reach out to any of these helplines if you are feeling suicidal. You are valuable and your life matters.