• Source:JND
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Kota Suicide: Despite steps by hostel owners and authorities to make premises "suicide proof" by installing spring-loaded fans in rooms, two more students died by suicide on Sunday in Rajasthan's Kota, the hub of engineering aspirants and doctors. According to NDTV, a NEET student named Avishkar Shubhangi was preparing for the common medical entrance test, died by suicide today. Another student named Adarsh also died, the police said, reports NDTV.

The deceased, identified as Avishkar from Maharashtra died after jumping from the 6th floor of the building. The police said that he committed suicide after appearing for a scheduled weekly test.

After two deaths on Sunday, the total number of students committing suicide this year has reached 23. This number has been the highest since 2018. Kota collector OP Bunkar has issued an advisory that there will be no tests for a month at the coaching institutes.

Adarsh, who hails from Bihar, died by hanging at Kunaddi.

"This boy was studying for his medical entrance and also for class 12 his grandparents lived here with him. He had an exam today. He finished the exam five minutes early and then jumped from the sixth floor," said Dharamvir Singh, the Deputy Superintendent of Police.

Earlier, a student was hospitalised after he consumed 15 tablets for reducing "by mistake". However, his friend said that the body was depressed after scoring low marks in the test.

Over two lakh students move to Kota every year to prepare for competitive exams such as the Joint Entrance Exam (JEE) for engineering and the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) for admission to medical colleges.

The hostel owners have installed huge nets to block students in case they jump from higher floors.

"We have installed huge nets in all lobbies and balconies to block students in case they jump from higher floors. These nets can hold weight up to 150 kg and also ensure that students do not get injured," said Vinod Gautam, owner of a hostel, as quoted by news agency PTI.