Doctors propose major changes in Kota after second suicide in 24 hours

Rajasthan’s Kota which is also considered as the the coaching district for aspiring engineers and doctors of India on Sunday saw 2 suicides within 24 hours, taking the tally for this year to 23 which is the highest ever recorded. Avishkar Shambaji Kasle, 17, from Maharashtra and Adarsh Raj, 18, from Bihar both died in two separate incidents in the city on Sunday. Avishkar Shambaji jumped from the sixth floor of his coaching institute’s building while Adarsh Raj hanged himself at his rented apartment.

Data shows that the number of suicides has increased by 60% since the COVID-19 pandemic. However, that jump in deaths is due to the fact that the number of students in Kota declined in 2019 and 2020 during the Covid pandemic. Till date in 2023, there have already been 23 suicides, compared to 15 in 2022. December 2022 was the deadliest month, with three suicides in a single day. In 2017, 10 students ended their lives in the city compared to 12 in 2018 and nine in 2021.

Pressure on Students in Kota:

The doctors say that the current pressure on students in Kota is unsustainable and is leading to a mental health crisis. They argue that the proposed changes are necessary to protect the mental health of students and to prevent further suicides.

The proposals have been welcomed by parents and students in Kota. However, some coaching center owners have expressed concerns that the caps on the number of coaching centers and tuition classes will hurt their businesses.

Speaking to NDTV, Dr Bharat Singh Shekhawat, head of the psychiatry department at Kota Medical College, said that there needs to be a comprehensive change in the approach of both the coaching institutes and the parents to curb the alarming rate of student deaths.The doctors say that the current pressure on students in Kota is unsustainable and is leading to a mental health crisis. They argue that the proposed changes are necessary to protect the mental health of students and to prevent further suicides.

“The number of suicides by students in Kota is the highest this year. We have been presenting suggestions to the Rajasthan government for 20 years, but no action has been taken,” Dr Shekhawat said. “During the COVID-19 lockdown, there was no pressure on students as they had the support of their families and were at home. However, after the lockdown, the pressure has returned, and that umbrella support has gone.

“Students who are admitted to coaching institutes at the age of 15 or 16 are too young. They miss out on the benefits of school, such as extracurricular activities and friendships. They are also under a lot of stress due to the rigorous coaching schedule.” Dr Shekhawat also suggested increasing the age bar for admission in these coaching institutes for entrance exams. “Coaching institutes should also regulate the coaching industry and ensure that the institutes provide a healthy and supportive environment for students,” he added.

Meanwhile, in order to prevent suicides, the local hostels and PGs have taken strange but necessary steps such as installing spring loaded fans and installing huge safety nets on the windows and balconies of the properties to stop the children from attempting suicide by jumping to their deaths.

“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 a hostel owner, as quoted by news agency PTI.  Local authorities have passed directions to provide mental health support to students and have also ordered the coaching centres to not hold any tests or exams till October to provide mental health relief and support to the students.

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