Canacona
A 75-year-old widow of a National and State Award-winning teacher from Canacona died by suicide on Sunday.
Canacona police said Prathibha Pai Bhatikar, 75, was recovered from a well near her home in Sadolxem, Canacona, by personnel of the Canacona Fire & Emergency Services on Sunday afternoon.
According to police, she had been under severe emotional distress for the past six months following the death of her husband, who had suffered from an
incurable illness.
She was reportedly undergoing treatment and was on medication, but was struggling to cope with the loss.
Police said she took the extreme step by jumping into a well near her residence.
Prathibha was the wife of noted educationist and former Headmaster of GHS Sadolxem, Ulhas Pai Bhatikar (1949–2025), a recipient of one National Award and five State Awards for teachers. He had authored the book Shikshanacha Shriganesha after retirement and passed away in December 2025.
