College student dies mid-speech during farewell event in Maharashtra

A farewell event at Maharshi Guruvarya RG Shinde Mahavidyalaya in Maharashtra’s Dharashiv city took a tragic turn when a 20-year-old student, Varsha Kharat, collapsed mid-speech and later died.

The incident, captured on video, shows Varsha addressing her college in Marathi and laughing with the audience before her voice slows and she collapses on stage.

Several members of the audience rushed to her aid. She was immediately taken to a nearby hospital but was declared dead upon arrival. The video has since gone viral, prompting an outpouring of grief and shock.

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Health history

According to preliminary information, Varsha had undergone heart surgery at the age of eight.

However, she was not under any medication or treatment in recent years and reportedly had no known health issues leading up to the incident.

Similar incidents

This tragic event echoes other recent cases of sudden cardiac deaths in India.

In Uttar Pradesh’s Bareilly, 50-year-old businessman Wasim Sarwar collapsed while dancing with his wife during their 25th wedding anniversary. In Madhya Pradesh, a veterinary doctor died of a heart attack while driving.

Also Read: IT company employee dies of cardiac arrest in Nagpur office washroom

During the 2024 Navratri celebrations in Pune, a popular Garba trainer, Ashok Mali, known as the "Garba King", collapsed on stage mid-performance. He was dancing with his son when he suddenly became dizzy and fell, and was later declared dead due to a heart attack.

Growing concern

These recurring incidents have sparked concern over the rising trend of sudden heart attacks, especially among young and seemingly-healthy individuals.

While investigations continue, Varsha’s death serves as a sombre reminder of the unpredictability of cardiac health and the importance of awareness, routine check-ups, and emergency preparedness.