Memories of Swapna grip classmates, teachers

Mangalore, July 16: An eerie atmosphere descended upon the class room of final year B Com at Besant Women's College. Neither the students were ready to listen to the lectures, nor were the lecturers in a mood to take class.

Although the College declared a one day holiday on Friday to mourn the unexpected death of Swapna, the memories of the bright and talkative girl, who always played the role of a peacemaker whenever any two girls of her class involved in childish quarrels, continued to haunt on Saturday too.

The 19 year old Swapna, a resident of Sasihitlu near Suratkal, was succumbed to 'dengue' on Thursday night at Kasturba Medical College.

“When I entered the class in the morning, the insuppressible memories of my best friend, who always used to welcome me with a smile, began to haunt me again,” said Aisha Khathoon, a classmate of deceased. Aisha, who travels every day from Moodbidri to the College, was one among the dozens of girls, who staged a protest in front of KMC hospital on Friday, when the authorities refused to release the dead body.

“She was always encouraging me, especially during examination days since past three years. But, the fate snatched her away from us,” said Aisha, controlling her emotions.

“No one is permanent in this world. But, it is not easy to take the death of a girl like Swapna as a natural fact,” said Saumya K, who taught Commercial Law to the deceased.

Ms Saumya recalls that Swapna had always been the first to shoot questions to the lecturers in the class without any hesitation.

“Today I went to take a class for the students of final B Com, but, soon I too became a part of the eeire silence that had engulfed the entire class room, and came back unable to speak anything in the permanent absence of one my best students” said Anupu Baliga, another lecture.

From Dubai

Swapna's brother Gautham, who lives in Dubai, landed at Mangalore Airport on Friday morning. But, he never knew that his only sister had left the world for ever. “I came here to take care of my sister who had been suffering from fever. But, I came to know the fact only after reaching the hospital,” said Goutham.

Swapna, who had been suffering from severe fever, was initially admitted to a private hospital in Mukka 10 days ago. Later she was shifted to a nursing home at Kudroli. She was in a critical state when she was brought to Urban Medical Centre on the premises of KMC at Ambedkar Circle on July 11.

According to District Surveillance Officer Dr B V Rajesh, Swapna died of multi-organ failure resulting from dengue on the night of July 14.

Protest

There were protests outside hospital when there was a delay in releasing the body of Swapna on Friday. The hospital wanted the medical bill to be settled before releasing the body. Swapna's family could pay only part of the amount while Besant College students Union managed to raise some funds.

However, bowing to the pressure, the hospital later brought down the bill amount and the body was released in the evening.