Balasore, Odisha | July 2025 — The city of Balasore woke up to a heartbreaking tragedy when Soumyasree, a student of the prestigious Fakir Mohan (FM) College, was found dead in a suspected case of suicide. The incident has sparked widespread grief, shock and raised serious questions about the mental health of students and the systemic pressures in Odisha’s education system.
End of a bright life
Soumyasree, described by her classmates as soft-spoken, intelligent and ambitious, was around 20 and was reportedly pursuing her graduation in the science stream. College sources said she had shown signs of stress in recent weeks, though no formal complaint or request for counselling was lodged.
Her body was found in the college hostel premises on Monday morning. Initial police reports suggest suicide, though no note was recovered from the scene. The exact cause and motive are still under investigation.
Friends’ opinion: “She deserved better than this”
Close friends and hostel mates remember her as someone who rarely shared her burdens with others. “She kept smiling at everything,” said one of her roommates. “We had no clue that she had something so serious on her mind.”
Several students claim that Soumyasri had recently been facing academic pressure and possibly personal problems, although there has been no official confirmation.
FM College’s response
FM College principal Dr S.K. Mishra issued a statement expressing deep grief and assuring full cooperation with law enforcement agencies. “We have lost a promising student. We are reviewing internal support systems for mental health and will work closely with the authorities to get to the root of this tragedy,” he said.
Counselling sessions for students have now been initiated on campus, and teachers have been advised to report any signs of emotional distress among students.
Rising student suicides in Odisha: A pattern?
Soumyashree’s death is not an isolated case. According to NCRB (National Crime Records Bureau) data, student suicides are on the rise in Odisha, especially in educational hubs like Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and Balasore.
Mental health experts believe it is a result of academic pressure, social isolation and lack of systematic counselling. “We have to stop glorifying suffering and start building support networks on campuses,” said Dr Anjali Nayak, a Balasore-based psychologist.
Public outrage and social media uproar
The incident has triggered emotional reactions on social media, and hashtags like #JusticeForSoumyashree and #StudentLivesMatter are trending on Twitter (formerly Twitter) and Instagram. Many users are demanding the following:
Mandatory campus counsellors
Anonymous helplines for students
Mental health awareness campaigns
Investigation of the college’s internal handling of student welfare
Several youth-led organisations in Odisha are planning to hold peaceful candlelight marches and mental health awareness campaigns in the coming days.
Investigation underway
The Balasore police are currently treating it as a suspicious death and awaiting forensic and psychological evaluation. Officials say digital footprints, phone records and personal diaries are being examined to rule out foul play or coercion.
The postmortem report is expected within 48 hours, after which the body will be handed over to the family for last rites.
A life that should have been saved
Saumyasree’s death is a grim reminder that mental health support is no longer optional – it is imperative. As a community, an institution and a state, Odisha must introspect deeply.
She was more than just a student. She was someone’s daughter, someone’s friend, and a person who mattered.
