Kota: 'Half-Day Study, Half-Day Fun', Counselling For Vulnerable Students - Measures Discussed To Curb Rising Cases Of Suicides

Half-Day Study, Half-Day Fun' Among Measures To Curb Kota Suicide Cases


Kota, a city in Rajasthan, is known as the coaching hub of India, where thousands of students flock every year to prepare for various competitive exams, especially for engineering and medical entrance tests. However, this city has also gained a notorious reputation as the suicide capital of the state, as many students succumb to the immense pressure and stress of their studies and expectations.

According to the latest reports, 24 students have died by suicide in Kota this year so far, with nine cases occurring in May and June alone. This alarming situation has prompted the Rajasthan government to take some urgent steps to address the issue and provide support and relief to the students.

On Monday, a high-level meeting was held through video conference, chaired by Bhawani Singh Detha, principal secretary (higher and technical education), who is also the head of a committee formed by Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot to look into the matter. The meeting was attended by representatives of coaching institutes and hostel associations, as well as officials from the district administration and police.

The meeting decided on some immediate and long-term measures to tackle the rising suicide cases in Kota and create a more conducive environment for the students. Some of the key decisions taken in the meeting are as follows:

- Coaching institutes have been asked to form a committee of subject experts to reduce the burden of courses on students and make the syllabus more manageable and relevant.
- Coaching institutes have also been asked to hold online motivational sessions by experts and upload them on social media for the benefit of all students. These sessions will aim to boost the morale and confidence of the students and help them cope with stress and anxiety.
- Coaching institutes will hold 'half-day study, half-day fun' on every Wednesday, where students will be allowed to engage in recreational activities such as sports, games, music, art, etc. for half of the day. This will help them relax and rejuvenate their minds and bodies.
- Coaching institutes will not conduct any routine tests for the next two months for students preparing for NEET and other competitive exams. This will reduce the pressure and fear of failure among the students and allow them to focus on learning rather than scoring.
- A form will be developed for coaching students to fill in every day so that their mental status can be assessed. The form will ask questions about their mood, feelings, thoughts, etc. and provide feedback and suggestions accordingly.
- Absentees from the routine tests and poor performers will be identified and provided psychological counselling by trained professionals. The counselling will help them overcome their negative emotions and thoughts and improve their mental health and well-being.
- A special police station will be set up exclusively for students, where they can report any issues or problems they face in Kota. The police station will also have a helpline number where students can call anytime for assistance or guidance.

These measures are expected to have a positive impact on the students' lives and prevent further suicides in Kota. The committee headed by Detha will visit Kota on September 2 to take stock of the situation and review the implementation of these measures.

The Rajasthan government has shown its concern and commitment to address the issue of student suicides in Kota and provide a safe and supportive environment for them. However, it is also important that the students themselves take care of their mental health and seek help when needed. They should also remember that there is more to life than exams and that failure is not the end of the world. As Anand Mahindra, chairman of Mahindra Group, tweeted recently, "Lack of success in an examination is simply part of a journey of self-exploration."

Source: 

(1) 'Lack of Success is part of a journey', Anand Mahindra Advices Kota Students as Suicide Cases Surge. https://www.timesnownews.com/education/lack-of-success-is-part-of-a-journey-anand-mahindra-advices-kota-students-as-suicide-cases-surge-article-103163658.
(2) ‘Disturbed’ Anand Mahindra's advice for Kota students as suicide cases surge: ‘Want to tell…’. https://www.msn.com/en-in/news/other/disturbed-anand-mahindras-advice-for-kota-students-as-suicide-cases-surge-want-to-tell/ar-AA1fV60Q.
(3) Kota suicide cases: From half day study to motivational sessions; Rajasthan takes these measures to protect students. https://www.livemint.com/news/india/kota-suicide-cases-from-half-day-study-to-motivational-sessions-rajasthan-takes-these-measures-to-protect-students-11693283254910.html.

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