As Odisha student is laid to rest, parents and friends reflect on what could have been

Khurda, Odisha — A quiet stillness hung in the air as hundreds gathered under grey skies to bid farewell to 19-year-old Ankit Pradhan, a promising engineering student whose life was tragically cut short. The narrow lanes of his village in Khurda district bore silent witness to an outpouring of grief, as friends, neighbours, and teachers joined the mourning family to remember a boy whose dreams now rest with him.

Ankit, a first-year student at a private engineering college in Bhubaneswar, was found dead under circumstances that are still being investigated. While preliminary reports suggest it may have been a case of suicide, the family believes there is more to the story. His parents, devastated by the sudden loss, are demanding a fair and thorough probe.

A Bright Future, Tragically Halted

Ankit had always been a quiet but determined student, said his father, Suresh Pradhan, a small-time farmer. “He would spend hours studying. He wanted to build something big — not just for himself, but for the village. He used to say, ‘Baba, one day I’ll make you proud.'”

That day never came.

“He had just come home for a short break during the semester,” said his mother, Sumitra, her voice trembling. “He looked tired, but nothing seemed unusual. He even promised to bring me sweets from Bhubaneswar when he went back.”

Three days later, the phone rang with the news no parent ever wants to hear.

Friends Speak Through Tears

Ankit’s classmates from college arrived in Khurda the night before the funeral, many of them unable to hold back their tears. “We still can’t believe he’s gone,” said Rahul Nayak, who shared a hostel room with Ankit. “He was always helping others with their assignments. He was calm, patient — the kind of person who wouldn’t raise his voice even when frustrated.”

According to friends, Ankit had been under immense academic pressure. He had recently failed an internal exam, which seemed to affect him deeply. “We thought he’d bounce back like he always did,” said Sneha Patnaik, another classmate. “But maybe we should have asked him more often how he was feeling.”

The hostel warden has since confirmed that the college will be conducting internal inquiries and providing mental health counseling to students — a move that many believe is too little, too late.

The Pain of ‘What If’

As the body was laid to rest on Monday, the silence among the mourners spoke louder than words. The overwhelming sentiment was one of sorrow, yes — but also of guilt, confusion, and helplessness.

“What if we had spoken to him more?” asked his cousin Binay, barely 20 himself. “What if the college had better support systems?”

His school principal, Mrs. Laxmi Sahoo, who had known Ankit since he was a boy, said, “He was a topper in school. We were all so proud when he got into engineering. It’s heartbreaking to think a mind so sharp could feel so hopeless.”

A Call for Accountability and Awareness

The case has sparked renewed debate in Odisha around student mental health, especially among engineering and medical aspirants. The pressure to perform, combined with the stigma of failure, has made students vulnerable — often with little institutional or familial support to fall back on.

The Odisha State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (OSCPCR) has urged educational institutions to take immediate measures to prevent student suicides, including setting up dedicated mental health cells, mandatory counselling sessions, and anonymous helplines.

Mental health advocates also point to the need for breaking societal taboos around failure. “We teach children how to succeed, but not how to fail,” said Bhubaneswar-based psychologist Dr. Aparna Dash. “This creates a deep-rooted fear of judgment and shame.”

A Village Left Grieving

Back in the village, Ankit’s absence has left a void that’s hard to describe. “He used to fix my mobile when it stopped working,” recalls Satyam, a younger neighbour. “He once even taught me how to use Google.”

His teachers have decided to start a scholarship fund in his name — a small step to ensure that another student like Ankit gets a chance to chase their dream. But for his parents, no gesture will ever be enough.

“I just want my son back,” murmured Suresh, clutching a photo of Ankit, eyes full of disbelief. “He had so much left to do.”