Nischintakoili: Despite government-issued guidelines advising against outdoor activity during the scorching summer days, teachers have been instructed to go door-to-door to survey school dropout students. Following these instructions, teachers across regions are actively conducting the surveys.
Tragically, Akshaya Behera, a physical education (sports) teacher at Chandrashekhar High School, located in Demandotha under Tilakana Panchayat of Nischintakoili Block, passed away on Friday. It is alleged that his death was caused by a heatstroke.
While participating in the dropout student survey, Akshaya Behera had been going from house to house in extreme heat. During the survey, he suddenly fell ill. He was first taken to the local Nischintakoili Community Health Centre and later shifted to Cuttack SCB Medical College and Hospital. However, he died while undergoing treatment.
The family has alleged that his death was due to heatstroke triggered by the summer heatwave. His demise has cast a deep pall of sorrow over the teaching community.
Since he died while performing government-assigned duties, several leaders and colleagues—including Laxminarayan Baral (Joint Secretary of All Utkal Primary Teachers’ Federation), acting Headmaster Santosh Mahapatra, former Headmaster Ashesh Barik, and CRC Namita Sahu—have expressed profound grief and demanded government compensation for the bereaved family.
The deceased teacher hailed from Gopinathpur village under Jhadeswarpura Panchayat. He is survived by his wife and children. His eldest son, Narayan Behera, performed the last rites, although the family remains deeply mournful and the final rituals are still ongoing.
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