A tragic incident at a central government-run school in Odisha has cast a shadow over campus sports activities. A Class 11 student lost his life while participating in his school's annual sports event, marking the second death of a student on a school campus in the state within a month.
The Fateful Race in Sundargarh
The incident occurred on Wednesday, January 1, 2026, at the Eklavya Model Residential School in Sundargarh district. The student, identified as Jaydeep Sagar Beka, a native of Bhawanipur in Sundargarh, was taking part in a relay race. According to details shared by school authorities, Jaydeep began feeling unwell after running approximately the first 100 metres of his leg.
Sensing discomfort, the young athlete made the decision to step away from the race. He moved to the side and sat down on a chair. Minutes later, he collapsed. Teachers and staff present at the event immediately sprang into action. They administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in a desperate attempt to revive him.
Emergency Response and Fatal Outcome
Following the initial first aid, Jaydeep was rushed to the nearest government medical college for advanced medical care. Despite the swift response from the school and the efforts of doctors at the hospital, the student was declared dead upon arrival or shortly after. A teacher from the school confirmed the sequence of events, highlighting the sudden and shocking nature of the tragedy.
Friends and teachers described Jaydeep as a bright student who had joined the residential school only six months prior to the incident. His sudden demise has left the school community in a state of profound grief and shock.
A Disturbing Pattern and Official Inquiry
This heartbreaking event is not an isolated case. It is the second incident of a student dying on a school campus in Odisha within the span of a month. Earlier, on December 10, a Class 10 student of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV) in Nuapada district had collapsed while playing football and subsequently died.
The back-to-back tragedies have raised urgent questions about safety protocols and medical preparedness during school events. When contacted, local education authorities stated that they have sought a detailed report from the school administration. The inquiry will focus on the circumstances leading to Jaydeep's death and critically assess whether the school had adequate medical arrangements and safety measures in place during its annual sports meet to prevent such a fatality.
The incident underscores the need for stringent health checks, immediate availability of emergency medical aid, and perhaps mandatory presence of trained medical personnel during physically demanding school competitions. As the community mourns the loss of a young life, the focus shifts to ensuring such preventable tragedies are not repeated.
