Bangalore has been given the title of Suicide Capital of India for few years in a row. And it looks like it has been coveting this title year after year. The number of suicides have been only increasing every year. In the past two weeks, each morning that I took to reading the news paper, at least 2 incidents of suicide were reported. For the last couple of days that I have been thinking about this, I have been skipping the headlines on the first page and searching for the suicide reports.
Apparently, the causes of these suicides are varied. The trend of individual suicides have become old fashioned, these days group suicides are the way to go. I may come across ruthless and heartless here, but I totally ridicule and condemn the voluntary act of ending the god's gift of life. Just today, 3 persons who happened to be friends, from Bangalore committed suicide. Among the three only one left a suicide note for her mother asking her not to do anything that will endanger her life. Well, If only she had applied the sanity to herself, it would have saved twice the grief and suffering of her mother.
Bangalore ranks high on the suicide cases when compared to other cities of Mumbai and Delhi. Bangalore, which also ranks lower in the incidents of violence now ranks higher on the incidents of self inflicted violence. The varied reasons of this fatally self inflicting violence ranges from divorce, dowry, love affairs, extra-marital affairs, illegitimate pregnancy and the major reason - societal pressure to cope up, pressure to perform and out do, pressure to earn those extra pennies, pressure of competition, job, family life.
Suicides in Bangalore have been primarily a problem of the young. The age groups of 16 to 40 years with half of them in 21 to 32 years have succumbed to the above mentioned reasons. Nearly 2/3rds of both completed and attempted suicides occurred in people with low and moderate socio-economic levels of education and occupation. And the remaining 1/4th are of the elite group - well educated doctors, lawyers, engineers, and the techies that Bangalore boasts of having in large numbers.
One of the main reasons I see behind the suicides is the enormous growth that this city has seen in the past decade. This city has been growing at a phenomenal rate. It has been acclaimed to be a fast developing technological hub in the South East Asian region and is one of top cities in the world. This city has been witnessing changes in all spheres of life. Within a generation, this lazy, sleepy and other wise calm cantonment town has been transformed into a bustling metropolis. What used to be signature bungalows in the lanes covered with the shredded tree leaves with sunlight barely kissing the earth, now is manifested with sprawling skylines, flyovers, metros, shopping malls and bee line traffic. This transformation is further fuelled, by changes in economy and society. A rapid rise in incomes has led to a still more rapid rise in desires.
The problem with a city like Bangalore is that half of the population here are from outside the state and from neighboring small towns and rural areas within the state. As soon as a person lands here, he is immediately pulled into a rat race. Getting adjusted to the new atmosphere and having to deal with high competition, work and social pressures can take its toll. The rat race doesn't spare them much time for enough social gathering leading to isolation and depression. These forces are very much capable of driving anyone to suicide.
The impact of the suicides on the immediate family members and friends are disastrous too. Although the act is over for the person who dies, the problem, the pain, suffering and trauma is merely transferred to them. And if the bread winner succumbs to his attempt, it further increases the financial burden on the family.
Although there is much awareness and the government participation and efforts in providing the helplines and psychiatrists to deal with any suicidal motivations, they just don't seem enough to curb the rising suicide rates.
From being Pensioners Paradise, to Garden City, to Silicon Valley of India, and finally to Suicide Capital of India, it has been a very short journey.
I often wonder where this city and humanity in general is heading! Any thoughts, please share.
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