Chandahandi, 25th Aug 2025: Allegations have been raised that a Class IV student died today due to anemia at Umerkote Sub-Divisional Hospital. The deceased has been identified as Gitanjali Majhi of Hatibadi village under Jharigaon block. She was staying at Chandahandi Mangal Department Ashram School and pursuing her studies there.
According to school teacher Bijay Kumar Sahu, Gita had suffered from chickenpox twice in June. After recovering, her father, Dhanur Majhi, brought her back to school on July 14. Two days later, as Gita appeared extremely weak, the school authorities admitted her to Umerkote Medical on July 16. Tests revealed her hemoglobin level was 6.5. Doctors said blood transfusion was not necessary and that medication would help improve her condition. Following this advice, her father took her back to the village.
On August 13, after some improvement, her father again left her at the school. However, seeing her poor health condition, the authorities admitted her once more to Umerkote Medical on the 20th. Due to low blood count, she was given one unit of blood on Thursday. Preparations were underway today to give her another unit, when she passed away.
Her final rites were performed this evening at her native village, Hatibadi. Villagers said that only a high-level inquiry can establish the role of the school authorities in Gita’s death. No reaction has been received so far from her father.