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The recent suicide of a 20 year old NEET aspirant, Mohammad Urooj, adds another heartbreaking chapter to Kota’s narrative of student suicides. Kota which is renowned as the hub for aspiring medical and engineering students has a grim reality beneath the surface of academic excellence. As per reports, Urooj who hailed from Uttar Pradesh, allegedly hanged himself in his PG accommodation in the Vigyan Nagar area. This incident marks the sixth such case involving a coaching student since January 2024.
As Station House Officer (Vigyan Nagar) Satish Chaudhary revealed that Md. Urooj’s room lacked basic safety measures, such as anti-suicide devices on the ceiling fan. This oversight highlights the urgency of implementing basic safety protocols and ensuring that the physical and psychological welfare of students residing in PG accommodations across Kota is maintained.
The late student was from Kannauj and preparing for medical exam NEET in Kota since last one and a half year. His parents got worried when they were unable to contact him and reached out to his friends and accommodation guard who later called the police to look into the matter. As of now, no suicide note has been recovered from his room. The reason for such an extreme step taken by the student will be revealed only after an investigation and a proper autopsy is done.
Urooj’s tragic fate is not an isolated incident in Kota but rather part of a distressing trend that has plagued Kota for many many years. With the number of student suicides reaching 26 in 2023 alone, there is an undeniable imperative to confront the systemic issues that are the major cause of such suicides. One of the reasons for such suicides is no doubt the intense pressure to excel in high-stakes entrance exams and get admission in the best colleges.
Why are suicides in students increasing?
The alarming rise in the number of student suicides is influenced by several key factors like academic pressure, overburdened schedules, expectations of parents, social media, peer pressure, lack of mental support, transition or adjustment related challenges, etc. Addressing the rising trend of student suicides is the need of the hour and having a multifaceted approach to solve it. By prioritizing the mental health and well being of the students and addressing the underlying situation or event that causes students to feel stressed, we can work towards creating a safer and more supportive environment for the next generation.
In the aftermath of Urooj’s untimely demise, it is time that there is a need for holistic reforms that prioritize student well-being alongside their academic achievement. Stakeholders across academia, government, and civil society should come collectively to address the root causes of student distress and foster a culture of empathy, and support within Kota’s educational landscape. As the city mourns yet another promising life lost to the unforgiving pressures of academic competition. Only through concerted efforts to prioritize mental health of students, implementing stringent safety measures, and cultivating a learning environment can Kota truly be a beacon of academic excellence without sacrificing the well-being of its students.
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