The rising toll of students committing suicide to 19 is raising questions on the process of coaching, admission and preparation for competitive exams at these coaching institutes.
19 students have committed suicide in Kota, also known as the coaching capital of the country, this year. The count is up considerably from 7 in 2017 and 17 in 2016.
The third incident of suicidein not more than four days has sent shockwaves throughout India. The latest victim, Jitesh, from Siwan district in Bihar and had been studying for IIT entrance for the past three years at a well-known coaching institute in the city.
Sources said last Tuesday, his family called him several times but he did not respond. Finally, they asked one of his friends to help them reach Jitesh. When the friend reached his room, he found him hanging from the ceiling, sources said.
On Sunday, 18-year Disha Singh, who was preparing for her medical entrance exam, also committed suicide. Disha was from Khushinagar in Uttar Pradesh and hung herself in the hostel in Landmark City area where she was staying. Sub-inspector Naik Mohammad, who is investigating the case, said when some girls at Disha’s hostel went into her room around 1 pm on Sunday, they found her. She left a suicide note saying she was under a lot of stress due to her studies.
Just a day before Disha’s death, 17-year-old Deepak Dadheech also hung himself to death at a coaching institute in the city’s RK Puram area. Deepak did not leave any suicide note.BS Shekhawat, a psychiatrist at New Medical College, said, “Fearing they may not make the cut and meet the expectations of their parents, the students often find the stress too tough to cope with and end up taking their lives.”