In a heart-wrenching incident today, a young medical aspirant tragically ended his life at a hostel in the state of Rajasthan. The student, identified as Kaushal Kumar, was diligently preparing for the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test, more commonly known as NEET, at a prestigious coaching center situated in Sikar.
Hailing from Raisana village, Kaushal had been a dedicated pupil at the renowned Allen coaching institute, which boasts branches throughout the country. The institute has long been recognized for its commitment to nurturing young talent for various competitive exams.
This devastating incident comes on the heels of a string of NEET-related suicides in the state, with Kota, often referred to as Rajasthan’s coaching hub, bearing witness to many of them. Just last month, two young souls tragically took their own lives on the same day in Kota. Avishkar Shubhangi, after completing a test, jumped from the sixth floor of the coaching institute, and later that evening, Adarsh was found hanging.
The alarming rise in NEET-related suicides has cast a somber shadow over the education landscape in the state, particularly in Kota, where the relentless pressure of academic pursuits and the persistent fear of failure weigh heavily on the minds of students.
In response to these disturbing trends, coaching hubs in Kota have begun taking proactive measures. They are enlisting the help of hostel wardens, mess workers, and tiffin service providers to identify any signs of depression or stress among the students residing in hostels and PG accommodations. Additionally, the district administration recently issued a directive to halt routine tests for students preparing for NEET and other competitive exams at coaching institutes for the next two months, acknowledging the need to alleviate the immense academic pressure.
Each year, Rajasthan welcomes countless students from across the country who flock to the state to prepare for engineering and medical entrance exams.
Recognizing the urgency of the situation, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has taken a significant step by forming a committee tasked with investigating and reporting on the growing number of student suicides in Rajasthan. This initiative underscores the commitment to address the underlying issues causing distress among the state’s aspiring youth.
