Kota Student Suicides:
The city of Kota was shaken by the news of two student suicides in a single day. On Wednesday morning, a 24-year-old student preparing for NEET was found dead. Mere hours later, another incident arose. An 18-year-old engineering aspirant, preparing for the upcoming JEE Mains from January 22 to January 30, 2025, was found lifeless in his room.
Mother’s Heartbreaking Discovery
The deceased student hailed from Assam and had come to Kota to prepare for IIT-JEE. On this fateful day, his mother arrived in Kota at around 2 PM. Upon opening her son’s room door, she discovered his lifeless body, causing her to faint right there. Both the student and his mother were rushed to the hospital, where doctors pronounced him dead. As of the writing of this story, the student's mother remains unconscious.
Two Student Suicides in 5 Hours
In Kota, renowned as the coaching hub of Rajasthan, the alarming surge in student suicides continues. This incident marks the second suicide in a span of 5 hours. At 9 AM, a 24-year-old aspirant from Ahmedabad, Gujarat, preparing for the NEET UG, took her own life. Neither student left behind a suicide note.
Six Student Suicides in 22 Days
In January alone, Kota has recorded its sixth student suicide:January 7: Neeraj Jaat from Mahendragarh, Haryana, preparing for JEE, committed suicide in his hostel.January 8: Abhishek from Guna, Madhya Pradesh, a JEE aspirant, found hanging in a PG.January 16: Abhijit Giri from Odisha, a JEE student, committed suicide in his hostel.January 17: A student from Bundi hanged himself from a window grill.January 22: Both a 24-year-old NEET aspirant from Ahmedabad and an 18-year-old JEE aspirant ended their lives.
The Pressure Behind These Tragedies?
Kota, India's largest coaching hotspot, remains under scrutiny due to the increasing academic pressure and mental stress on students. The rising number of student suicides has sparked concern within the coaching industry and among parents. Collaborative solutions involving coaching institutes, parents, and administrators are being sought to alleviate the intense mental and academic pressures on students. These incidents underscore the urgent need to reform the education system and prioritize student mental health.
29 Suicides in 2023, 19 in 2024
In 2024, Kota reported 19 student suicides, while in 2023, the figure was 29. In response to this grave situation, police and administration have implemented several measures. Anti-hanging devices were installed in hostel rooms, and a helpline was provided for students to discuss any issues.
