A joyful picnic turned into a tragedy today as a young student drowned while bathing in the sea near the Beleswar Temple beach. The deceased has been identified as Shilpashree Sahu, a resident of Boxi Bazaar, Cuttack.
Shilpashree had traveled to the pilgrim town with her friends from a private coaching center for a day-long outing. According to eyewitnesses, the incident occurred when she ventured into the water for a bath and was swept away by strong currents.
Despite immediate efforts to rescue her, she could not be saved. Lifeguards and local authorities eventually recovered her body, which has been shifted to the Puri Sadar Hospital for further formalities. The news has sent shockwaves through her coaching center and local community, casting a shadow of grief over what was meant to be a celebratory excursion.