Kota Student Deaths: As the number of suicide cases increased in Kota, the hub of engineering and medical aspirants, District Collector OP Bunkar wrote a letter to encourage them and assure them he and his team were by their side. In his letter, he asked students not to get defeated by failure, saying, "If one road closes, other roads are open and waiting for you."
"You are not alone in the city. I am here (main hoon na), doors of my office and home are always open for every student. Don't hesitate. Learn to share the stress. Whatever kind of fear or stress you have, do share it with me," he added, as quoted by the news agency PTI.
The collector also directed the coaching institutes, hostels, and paying guests to put up his letter on their display boards.
In his letter, the Kota collector expressed concern over the suicide cases and also urged students not to get disheartened over failures. Referring to the students who allegedly died by suicide in recent days, Bunkar wrote, "You have gone, but before going, you should have thought what would happen to your parents, who were committed to fulfilling your dreams by willingly sacrificing whatever they had."
"You all became members of my family on the very first day you reached this city to fulfil your dreams and I am constantly in an effort to care for you and to provide you a happy environment here," the collector wrote to the students.
In his letter, he also recalled the joyous time that he had spent during the interaction with some students.
"All of you work very hard to attain your target," the collector said, adding, "If one road is closed, several other roads are open and waiting for you."
"With a little fall in ranking in a test, you take yourself broken down, sink into tension and pack yourself in a room and continue to think that nothing could happen now," Bunkar pointed out to the students, as quoted by news agency PTI.
He also advised the students to explore the city and visit the nature parks and recreation centres for relaxation.
"Just once come out and see what is not there in my city, the beautiful riverfront, rising waves of River Chambal, fascinating gardens and groves; every circle is eager to welcome you," the collector urged the students.
He also advised students to take some time to meet friends and do other fun activities to feel refreshed.
The number of deaths by suicide has increased in Kota, with the death tally reaching 23 only this year. Last month, a NEET aspirant died by suicide in the medical and engineering coaching hub of India.