The facts and figures presented in the 21st meeting of the International Association for Prevention of Suicide held in Chennai recently, cause us concern.

It is reported that a total number of around 10 lakhs commit suicide all over the world. The total number of Indians committing suicide touches 1,10,000. That is one out of every ten committing suicide is an Indian.

The statistics for the year 1999 gives us the sad fact that an Indian commits suicide once in every 5 minutes. The research in this respect is not able to identify the reason why 40% of them committed it.

The report states that 22% of them commit suicide due to family problems, 20% due to diseases and 8.8% due to unemployment. Fear of labour pain and several other reasons account for the balance 9.2%.

30% of the Indians resort to poison; 25% hang themselves; 11% perform self-immolation. Women form the majority of this 11%, giving up their lives by self-immolation.

The statistics indicated that one in every three belongs to the younger generation. A large number of them are women. The report also highlights the fact that around 64 married women commit suicide everyday, due to family problems of one nature or the other.

Though it cannot be said that the statistics are accurate, the figures go to show that an alarming number of Indians are losing faith on life and are pushed into disappointment, despondency and despair.

This situation can be improved if the society is able to guarantee a decent living for its smallest component - the individual. People should have their basic needs satisfied. They should be able to lead a physically and mentally healthy life. Social justice and individual justice should be integrated and a secure environment should prevail in the society.

Only such an environment can bring down this alarming rate of suicides.