Republic Day tragedy: Class X student loses life while lowering National Flag in Odisha

In a tragic and shocking incident, a Class X student lost his life due to electrocution while lowering the national flag in the Kujang area of Paradip in Jagatsinghpur district on Monday.

As per reports, the incident occurred at a coaching centre in Kujang, where the national flag had been hoisted on the rooftop earlier in the day. Before sunset, while the flag was being lowered as per protocol, the student accidentally came into contact with a live electric source.

The flag was reportedly fixed to a GI (galvanised iron) rod, which came into contact with an overhead electric wire passing above the roof of the building. As a result, a high-voltage current passed through the rod, electrocuting the student on the spot. He sustained severe electric shock and collapsed immediately.

The deceased has been identified as Om Prakash Dwibedi, a Class X student. He was a native of Teragaon village in Kendrapara district. Om Prakash had been staying at his maternal uncle’s house in the Samagola area of Kujang to pursue his studies and was attending the coaching centre where the incident took place.

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The sudden death of the young student has sent shockwaves through the local community, with grief and anguish prevailing among family members, students, and residents of the area. The incident has also raised serious concerns over safety measures at educational and coaching institutions, particularly during national events involving flag hoisting and lowering near electrical installations.