Introduction
Kota, the renowned coaching hub of Rajasthan, is stepping up its efforts to address the concerning issue of student suicides among the thousands who flock to the city each year in pursuit of their dreams in competitive exams. In a bid to provide crucial mental health support, the city’s authorities are launching a unique campaign called ‘Darwaze pe dastak’ (knock on the door).
With over 2.5 lakh students arriving in Kota annually to prepare for exams like the Joint Entrance Exam (JEE) and the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET), the pressure on these young minds is immense. The year 2023 has already witnessed 22 student suicides, highlighting the urgency of the situation.
A collaborative efforts
The campaign, ‘Darwaze pe dastak,’ is a collaborative effort between the city police, wardens, mess workers, and tiffin service providers. Wardens are being actively encouraged to make nightly rounds, knocking on students’ doors at around 11 p.m. They inquire about the well-being of the students, observe their activities, and maintain a vigilant eye to detect any signs of stress, depression, or abnormal behaviour.
Chandrasheel Thakur, ASP of Kota, emphasized the importance of wardens in the initiative, saying, “After coaching, the students spend maximum time in hostels, and hence wardens should be the first ones to notice the signs.”
Additionally, mess workers and tiffin providers have been urged to report any unusual behaviour. They are advised to be on the lookout for students who repetitively skip meals or leave their tiffin unconsumed. A dedicated hotline has been set up to facilitate the reporting of such information.
Naveen Mittal, President of the Kota Hostel Association, highlighted the scale of the effort, stating that there are 3,500 hostels and 25,000 paying guest accommodations in Kota.
Wardens like Garima Singh from Amratingali Girls Residency play a crucial role in this initiative. She explained, “The idea is not to disturb them, but to keep a check if they are fine. If someone is sleeping for unusual hours, I discuss with them if they are just tired or unwell. I check their mess logbooks too. If someone has not eaten meals in the mess, I ask if he or she did not like the food or if is it because of some stress.”
Measures Being Taken
In response to the recent surge in suicides, the district administration has temporarily suspended routine tests in coaching institutes, offering students a much-needed respite from the relentless academic pressure.
The city’s authorities have left no stone unturned in their efforts to prevent student suicides. In a desperate move, they even ordered hostels to install spring devices on ceiling fans to deter students from taking their own lives.
Conclusion
Kota’s ‘Darwaze pe dastak’ campaign serves as a beacon of hope for students facing immense pressure and isolation. By fostering a community of care and support, it aims to identify early signs of distress and provide timely assistance to ensure that no young life is lost to the burden of academic expectations.
