On May 25, an 18-year-old History Honours student from St. Stephen’s college in Delhi lost his life due to COVID-19. According to HT, Satyam Jha had left for Kota, Rajasthan, in April and had been attending classes online. He was also involved in relief efforts until he got infected himself. He developed breathlessness and was admitted to a hospital where he passed away.
Subsequently, principal John Varghese shared a powerful note on the college website, reports NDTV.
The Indian Express quoted him adding,
“The second wave of the pandemic has been heartless in its ruthless rampaging through our country exposing our hollow claims of being prepared, of being one of the largest producers of pharmaceutical products in the world, of even being a civilization that places value on the higher things in life. But if life itself is gone, then wither all these claims? They are merely a futile breath of air. A mere posturing, signifying nothing.”
Heartbreaking news to start the day with: a topper at my school, studying my subject in my college, helping others, dies of #Covid at 18 years of age. My heart grieves for his parents. Tragedies assail us daily but there’s a poignancy to the loss of one with so much potential. pic.twitter.com/XMfB6bNIEz
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) May 28, 2021
“The claims of belligerent and blind leaders who are immune to the suffering and deaths of simple people also show that we are veering off dangerously to becoming a cruel and insensitive race. How do all those claims of power and importance matter before the death of a loved one? Nothing.”
He also talked about the lessons this pandemic has taught us – how the quality of life matters and how we must end our greed and live with humility.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Satyam’s friends and family during this difficult time.