She slipped twice as she climbed up 15-feet flagpole

MYSORE: It was all over in two minutes. Ranjitha, a Class VI student, climbed the 15-foot-high mast in her school in west Mysore with the support of her schoolmates, and the rope on her shoulder. Though she slipped twice while climbing, she succeeded in tying the rope to the wheel atop the mast, but lost her balance and got entangled. As her schoolmates raised an alarm, she was rescued by passersby and rushed to hospital.
The 11-year-old Soliga tribal girl is a student of VV Mohalla Higher Primary School for Girls.
Yet, there is no clarity on the incident as students, teachers, education officials and police give different accounts. Schoolteacher E Komala claimed she was inside the building when Ranjitha climbed up, while police claim both teachers were at the spot, guiding the girl on how to tie the rope.
Her schoolmates claim Ranjitha volunteered to carry out the task when they were rehearsing for the I-Day programme on the other side of the campus. Pre-matric girls' hostel warden AN Sumangala too said Ranjitha, who is good at studies, enthusiastically volunteered to help with odd jobs.
VV Puram police maintained some students were present with the two teachers at the time.
DDPI HR Basappa said: "I've ordered an inquiry after suspending the teachers. We'll take appropriate action against the teachers for their negligence, based on the report."
PARENTS WANTED KIDS TO STUDY
Soliga couple Naga and Anusuya, residents of Soliga Colony near Jayapura, wanted both their children to be educated, so they could have a better future.
Ranjitha and her brother Raghu were sent to Mysore to study. Ranjitha joined the pre-matric hostel at VV Mohalla, while Raghu joined Shanthinagara Residential School in East Mysore a year ago.
In Vikarm Hospital where she is being treated, Anusuya's eyes welled up as she spoke about her daughter. She blamed the teachers for the tragedy and questioned how women teachers could make a girl climb a vertical pole. "I had sent my daughter away from home with a heavy heart. Now I feel I did the wrong thing, as no one can take care of children like parents do. I'm waiting for my daughter to recover and I'll take her back home,'' she said.
Naga is a daily wage labourer who ekes out a living in Mysore.
QUOTES
I've directed the deputy director of public instruction not to involve schoolchildren in any work either on campus or outside, even if it's related to them. The accident happened due to negligence on the part of the teachers, and they have been suspended, pending departmental inquiry. I've been in touch with the hospital authorities, who say the girl has regained conscious and is stable.
C Shikha | deputy commissioner, mysore
We were playing around the pole with a rope given by the teachers. Komala teacher warned us twice not to play or climb the pole, and went inside. But Ranjitha climbed voluntarily, with our help. She put the rope around her neck and held the other end in her left hand. She slipped twice and finally lost balance when she was on top. We shouted out, and the teachers came and tried to rescue her, but couldn't. Later, some people helped us.
Madhushri | class vii student
As a mother, how can I ask a girl my son's age to carry out such a dangerous job? In fact, I had twice warned the students not to play with the rope. Once I went inside, Ranjitha tried to be adventurous. I don't know who helped her climb up. It all happened within two or three minutes.
E Komala | teacher
I-Day celebrated
Despite the tragedy, education authorities went ahead with Independence Day celebrations in the West Mysore government school. North Block education officer Susheela hoisted the tricolour on the same flagpole.
Gauri and Vasantha, the teachers deputed here following the suspension of Priscilla Rodriguez and E Komala, were present. Only eight of the 24 students reluctantly attended, while Priscilla and Komala were also there.
The higher primary school has a strength of 24 students, including four boys. A majority of the girls are Soligas from Mysore taluk. All 20 girls stay in the pre-matric government hostel near the school campus. The school has only two teachers, and there are no students in classes 1, 2 and 4.
Gauri said some Soliga parents, shocked by the incident, have taken their children back. We don't know whether they will send their wards back to school, she said.