CHENNAI: The story of a third year student of a city college attempting suicide after failing to pay the examination fees moved the jurisdictional inspector of police and he has paid the fee for the youth.
The student, who stays at an orphanage in the city, consumed rat poison on February 26, but he was spotted in the nick of time and rushed to a government hospital in the city where doctors pumped out the toxic substance and he is on the road to recovery.
After a case was registered, inspector K Matheswaran went to the hospital to inquire about the 20-year-old. "I was shaken on hearing his story. I promised to pay his tuition fees immediately."
Police said the youth and his parents lived in the Andaman Nicobar Islands till December 2004 when a Tsunamai, triggered by a powerful quake off Indonesia, washed away their home. The family then came to Ramanathapuram district as refugees and were accommodated in a Tsunami colony at a village.
Working as a coolie, the father secured admission for the boy at a government school and raised him. After he completed his Class XII, the boy was taken into an orphanage in Chennai city. Three years ago, he managed to get admission in the BA (History) course at a prominent college.
Last year, the student's father, who was the sole breadwinner of the family, became bedridden after his toes had to be removed due to his diabetic condition.
As his father could not go to work due to illness, he could not pay the examination fees. The college management kept sending him reminders to pay the fees. Desperate, the youth tried to take his life on February 26.
Some of college friends took him to the government hospital, where Matheswaran met him and promised help. After handing over a cheque for the required amount to the youth at the Koyambedu police station on Monday, Matheswaran said, "I have told him that he can walk into the police station any time for any help."
Matheswaran, a native of Salem who was in 1997 directly inducted in the force as sub-inspector, was commended by police commissioner A K Viswanathan for his act.
The student, who stays at an orphanage in the city, consumed rat poison on February 26, but he was spotted in the nick of time and rushed to a government hospital in the city where doctors pumped out the toxic substance and he is on the road to recovery.
After a case was registered, inspector K Matheswaran went to the hospital to inquire about the 20-year-old. "I was shaken on hearing his story. I promised to pay his tuition fees immediately."
Police said the youth and his parents lived in the Andaman Nicobar Islands till December 2004 when a Tsunamai, triggered by a powerful quake off Indonesia, washed away their home. The family then came to Ramanathapuram district as refugees and were accommodated in a Tsunami colony at a village.
Working as a coolie, the father secured admission for the boy at a government school and raised him. After he completed his Class XII, the boy was taken into an orphanage in Chennai city. Three years ago, he managed to get admission in the BA (History) course at a prominent college.
Last year, the student's father, who was the sole breadwinner of the family, became bedridden after his toes had to be removed due to his diabetic condition.
As his father could not go to work due to illness, he could not pay the examination fees. The college management kept sending him reminders to pay the fees. Desperate, the youth tried to take his life on February 26.
Some of college friends took him to the government hospital, where Matheswaran met him and promised help. After handing over a cheque for the required amount to the youth at the Koyambedu police station on Monday, Matheswaran said, "I have told him that he can walk into the police station any time for any help."
Matheswaran, a native of Salem who was in 1997 directly inducted in the force as sub-inspector, was commended by police commissioner A K Viswanathan for his act.
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