[Assam] [assam] An Indian ends life every sixth day in Oman

[bhuban.baruah]

Times of India (May 2, 2012)


DUBAI: In a worrying sign, an Indian living in Oman has been found to 
commit suicide every sixth day, owing to financial stress or personal 
issues, official data shows.

23 Indians had committed suicide in different parts of the Sultanate 
till mid-April this year. In January and February, eight Indians 
committed suicide in each month, while four ended their life in March. 
Three people had committed suicide till mid-April, Times of Oman 
reported, quoting data available with Indian embassy in Muscat.

Last week, an Indian mother of three was found hanging from the ceiling 
at her flat in Ruwi region.

50 Indians committed suicide in Oman in the year 2010, while another 54 
in 2011, the report said.

Psychologists and social workers in Oman call this an alarming 
phenomenon.

"Even though the number of suicides was slightly low in March and 
April, it was quite high in January and February," an Indian lawyer 
told the paper.

The reasons behind the suicides, psychologists say, are either 
financial stress or personal issues such as low self-esteem, depression 
and interpersonal conflict.

Several Indian social and spiritual groups are working in Oman to 
prevent the rising number of suicides.

"The reason for the high number of suicides could be the lack of 
someone to confide in," P M Jabir, Indian Social Club Welfare 
Secretary, said.

"Many of the victims are people who are living away from their families 
and relatives, which lead to loneliness and stress. Also, most of these 
people might be undergoing tremendous financial crisis in fulfilling 
the family obligations back home.

"To overcome all that, they seek easy methods like taking loans from 
private money lenders, which later turns into a death trap," he said.

A senior Indian embassy official said the mission is ready to provide 
help to Indians who are under stress.

"A dedicated Community Welfare Wing, headed by a senior India-based 
officer, caters exclusively to the needs of distressed Indian workers," 
A P S Chauhan, Second Secretary (Community Welfare, Culture and HOC) at 
the Indian Embassy, saidTimes Of India (May 2, 2012)