Kota Suicide Case:
Kota is known as the Students & Education hub of the country, where aspirants come to study for particular degrees, courses etc along with the education hub, Kota is facing a huge problem of suicide cases in recent years among 35,000 students who committed suicide in India.
Almost 20% were originally from Kota or had some relation to it, Kota also witnesses the annual crowd of over 2 lakh students, all aspiring to crack all India exams like JEE & NEET. While the city offers opportunities for academic excellence, it also exposes students to an intense & highly competitive environment, contributing to the prevailing issue of mental health challenges among aspirants!
Niharika Solanki Case:
In another heartbreaking incident in Kota, Rajasthan, another student preparing for competitive exams has taken her own life, marking the second suicide in just four weeks of January! The 18-year-old girl, a resident of Kota’s Borkheda area, was diligently preparing for the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) when she was found hanging at her residence allegedly! This tragic incident interrogates students’ mind pressure due to examination & fear of competition by coaching centres!
Despite the family’s quick response & immediate hospitalization, the young girl, struggling with the intense mental pressure of competitive exams, was declared dead upon arriving at hospital.
Niharika Solanki:
Living with her father, a bank employee, Niharika Solanki was repeating her 12th class, despite dedicating seven to eight hours daily to studies. the overwhelming competition felt too much to bear with her mind!
Rajasthan Police have further initiated an investigation into the incident. Post-mortem examination will be conducted to unravel the circumstances leading to the tragic decision of the student! The recovery of a suicide note alongside her body has added another layer to the case investigation.
The poignant suicide note found by the police expressed the student’s despair and feelings of failure. In the note, she conveyed her inability to cope with the pressure of the JEE, stating,
“Mummy, Papa, I can’t do JEE. So I suicide [sic]. I am a loser [sic]. I am the worst daughter [sic]. Sorry Mummy, Papa. This is the last option I have.”
The suicide note highlights the emotional pressure & depression that she was pursuing from competitive exams!
Government Fail Again:
Last year, an alarming surge in student suicides prompted the Central Government to issue guidelines aimed at alleviating the pressure on coaching students. However, the tragic incidents this year raise questions about the effectiveness of these measures.
The directives were intended to ensure the well-being of students by engaging coaching institutes and district administrations in the collective responsibility of preventing depression and stress
Dr. Bharat Singh Shekhawat, head of the psychiatry department at Kota Medical College, emphasized the need for a comprehensive overhaul in the approach of coaching institutes and parents.
He highlighted the challenges faced by students admitted to coaching institutes at a young age, missing out on the benefits of regular school life, such as extracurricular activities and friendships. The rigorous coaching schedule adds further stress to their already demanding academic journeys!
Conclusion:
The suicide of Niharika Solanki in Kota highlights the urgent need for a compassionate overhaul of the education system. The intense competition and pressure from exams have taken a toll on students’ mental health. Government initiatives should be revisited, and a collaborative effort is required from coaching institutes, parents, and educational authorities to create a more supportive and holistic learning environment. It’s crucial to prioritize mental health awareness and counseling services to ensure the well-being of students in educational hubs like Kota.
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Last Year Suicide Cases – Read More