• By Vivek Raj
  • Mon, 29 Apr 2024 10:57 AM (IST)
  • Source:JND
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Kota Student Suicide: A 20-year-old student preparing for the National Eligibility Entrance Test (NEET) tragically ended their life by suicide in Kota, Rajasthan, raising the tally of such cases to eight this year. The incident, which occurred late Sunday, highlights the persisting mental health challenges faced by students in the city known for its intense coaching culture.

According to local authorities, the student, hailing from Rohtak, Haryana, was discovered hanging from the ceiling fan in his hostel room. The discovery came after repeated attempts by his parents and hostel staff to reach him went unanswered.

Police confirmed that no suicide note was recovered from the scene and the parents of the deceased have been informed about the incident. The student had been attending a coaching center in Kota for more than a year and had relocated to the hostel in July last year.

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This event adds to a series of similar incidents that have plagued Kota, a hub for students aspiring to crack various competitive exams. Last year alone, 27 students took their own lives in the district, highlighting a deep-seated issue that demands urgent attention.

Previously on March 28, a 19-year-old NEET aspirant allegedly hanged herself at her PG room in Kota and a day earlier, another 20-year-old student was found dead at his PG accommodation.

Despite efforts by the district administration to address the crisis, including mandating the installation of spring-loaded fans in hostels and paying guest accommodations, the situation remains of concern. Authorities are now probing possible violations of these guidelines by the hostel where the latest incident occurred.

Kota Student Suicide In Past Years

Police data reveals a concerning trend of student suicides in Kota over the past years: 15 cases in 2022, 18 in 2019, 20 in 2018, seven in 2017, 17 in 2016, and 18 in 2015. Notably, there were no reported suicides in 2020 and 2021, attributed to the closure or online operation of coaching institutes amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

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The coaching industry in Kota, estimated to be worth Rs 10,000 crore annually, draws students from across the country, many of whom grapple with the stress of being away from their families while preparing for exams like NEET and Joint Entrance Examination (JEE).