On a heartbreaking Sunday afternoon in March, sixty-year-old farmer Ranga Rao received a call that would change his life forever. His daughter Devi, a bright and ambitious young woman, had reached a breaking point. Devi, a dedicated Pharm D student interning at a hospital in Rajamahendravaram, tragically decided to end her life after suffering in silence for too long. The events that followed would unravel a tale of exploitation, manipulation, and heartbreak that shook Rao and his wife Ananta Lakshmi to their core.
A family shattered
Rao and Ananta Lakshmi, who migrated to a tribal pocket in Eluru district after their marriage, had pinned their hopes and dreams on Devi. Despite their struggles and the loss of ancestral lands to government projects, they had invested everything in Devi’s education. Devi’s pursuit of a Pharm D degree was not just her dream but a beacon of hope for her family’s future. However, the dreams of a brighter tomorrow were shattered when Devi’s life took a tragic turn.
A cry for help
The sequence of events that led to Devi’s untimely death began with a call from her uncle, Deepak, a hospital employee who would later be implicated in the heartbreaking tale. Devi’s family was summoned to the hospital under the guise of a medical emergency, only to discover a diary containing a chilling suicide note. In the note, Devi detailed the horrors she had endured at the hands of Deepak, including physical and sexual abuse, manipulation, and exploitation.
A family’s fight for justice
As the investigation unfolded, shocking details emerged, painting a picture of a young woman pushed to the brink by a trusted figure in her life. Deepak’s alleged actions, including rape, stalking, and intimidation, were brought to light, leading to his arrest and a wave of protests in Rajamahendravaram. Devi’s family, along with the community, demanded justice for the young woman whose life was cut short by unspeakable cruelty.
A community in mourning
Despite the efforts of medical professionals to save Devi’s life, her condition continued to deteriorate, eventually leading to her passing. The community gathered to bid farewell to a promising young soul lost to the darkness of silence and despair. As Devi’s story captured the hearts of many, a poignant message from her suicide note echoed in the hearts of those left behind: “Never wanted to be born again.”
As the investigation into Devi’s tragic death continues, her memory lives on in the hearts of those who knew and loved her. The impact of silence on mental health, as seen in Devi’s story, serves as a reminder of the importance of speaking out, seeking help, and breaking the cycle of suffering in silence. Through the darkness of tragedy, Devi’s light shines on as a beacon of hope for a future where voices are heard, lives are valued, and justice prevails.
