Teacher, Class 9 Student Dies During Ganesh Puja in 2 Odisha Schools

Tragedy struck Ganesh Puja celebrations in two schools in Odisha, where a teacher and a Class 9 student died unexpectedly on Wednesday.

Chandan Kumar Jena, an assistant teacher at Saleikena Government Upper Primary School under Telkoi block in Keonjhar district, collapsed while offering ‘pushpanjali’ to Lord Ganesh along with other teachers and students at the school this morning. He was rushed to a nearby hospital but was declared dead on arrival by the doctors there.

A native of Antarei village under Bhograi block in Balasore district, Jena is survived by his wife and three-year-old



daughter.

In Balasore, a Class 9 student, Priyanshu Pritam Dasbabu, collapsed and died while dancing during Ganesh Puja celebrations at Radha Madhab Jew High School at Podashul village under Nilagiri block.

Sources said that school had organised a cultural programme, which included music and dance performances, and the 15-year-old student along with his classmates actively participated in the festivities.  He, however, collapsed while dancing and was immediately rushed him to Nilagiri hospital by teachers and his father, who was present at the event. However, doctors declared him brought dead. He is suspected to have suffered a cardiac arrest.