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JAMSHEDPUR: The endeavour of a few to check the rise in suicide cases in Jamshedpur will now receive the support of the corporate sector. The suicide of a 16-year-old daughter of Tata Steel Europe director, BimlendraJha, concerned the corporate houses to the extent that it has now come out with unflinching support to the institution pursuing the suicide prevention cause. The city-based corporate houses have agreed to extend financial support to the city-based suicide prevention centre, Jeevan to pursue the social cause in a sustained manner. "The shortage of staff in running Jeevan the 24x7 centre will now be addressed to a large extent as we have been assured by few corporate houses of volunteer support to meet the shortage," said Jeevan chairman, Ronal D'Costa. Owing to inadequate strength of the volunteers the centre is functioning merely six hours each day, presently. Following the tragic suicide of his daughter Anita Jha, a bright student of Loyola School, Jha learnt about the suicide incidents that have been occurring in the Steel City for the past few years. On January 17, Anita committed suicide at her Circuit House residence. Tata Group chairman, Cyrus Mistry and Tata Steel MD, H M Nerurkar visited Jha's residence the next day to pay condolence to the bereaved family. The exact cause of her death is not yet known but police said she was under depression. "Recently, at a meeting convened by school chairman Nakul Kamani at Narbheram Hansraj English School, Bimlendra Jha supported our cause and said he will extend all possible help in our support," said D'Costa, a hotelier and XLRI alumni. Nerurkar, who was also pained at the death, of the young girl and the father who always came out in support of social causes, is learnt to have taken serious note of the rising suicide cases and has assured definite help to the centre to keep the movement sustainable till it reaches the desired level. "Soon, we will come up with hoardings near schools to help assist the depressed students," said D'Costa talking to reporters at Hotel Boulevard on Friday. The moderate size hoardings will carry information about what the students should do when depressed and will also have detailed information on Jeevan. According to the data available with Jeevan, 208 people committed suicide in 2012 while about 10 people ended life abruptly in the first six weeks of the current year.
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