Schoolboy goes missing in Kolkata

KOLKATA: A class-IX student of an English medium school in Sealdah has gone missing after he left his Jodhpur Park residence in south Kolkata on Thursday. He had sent an SMS to his mother saying that he was visiting the South City Mall and would be late in returning home. He, however, did not return. Police suspect that the student was worried about his annual exam results and hence fled from home.
His parents later lodged a missing complaint with the Lake police station around midnight. Both the Lake police and the detective department have launched a search operation. The boy's father, a businessman, could not recall anyone rebuking him in the past few days. The parents also turned up at the detective department office seeking help.
The student's annual report was to be published on March 29.
"We have traced his calls to Rashbehari and Uttarpara. He has since then switched off his phone," said police. We are contacting all his friends and relatives. We will need to investigate whether he is alone and whether he has enough cash on him," said an investigating officer. The detective department will be in touch with the school in this respect.
"Unfortunately, one sees more and more parents putting more and more pressure in different forms from a young age. One is the pressure to conform, a strong sub-conscious desire of most parents. From clothes, friends and career to marriage choices, parents keep putting pressure on a child even with the best of their intentions," said Jayati Nag, a psychiatrist involved with child psychology.