https://educationtoday.co/blog/blog-details?id=2786&url=Kotas-Dark-Cloud-A-City-of-Dreams-Haunted-by-Suicides *Kota's Dark Cloud: A City of Dreams Haunted by Suicides* A string of student suicides in Kota casts a shadow over India's coaching capital, raising concerns about the intense pressure and mental health of NEET and JEE aspirants. January 22, 2025, Kota, India - The vibrant city of Kota, known as India's coaching capital, is once again grappling with a grim reality – student suicides. In a heart-wrenching incident on Wednesday, two young lives were lost within just two hours, pushing the total number of suicides in the city this month to a devastating six. The first tragedy struck at around 10 am when Ashfa Sheikh, a 24-year-old medical aspirant from Ahmedabad, Gujarat, was found hanging in her paying guest accommodation in the Jawahar Nagar area. Ashfa had been preparing for the NEET exam for several years, but despite her efforts, success remained elusive. Although she had previously enrolled in coaching classes, she was currently engaged in self-study. Police investigations are underway, but the lack of a suicide note has left authorities puzzled about the exact reasons behind her drastic step. Just two hours later, another tragedy unfolded in the Mahaveer Nagar area. An 18-year-old JEE aspirant from Guwahati, Assam, took his own life by hanging himself in his hostel room. The young man, whose identity has not been disclosed, was scheduled to appear for the JEE-Mains exam next week. His mother was en route to Kota to support him during this crucial time, but tragically, he ended his life just hours before her arrival. Despite the hostel's adherence to district administration guidelines and the installation of anti-suicide devices, the young man found a way to circumvent these measures, highlighting the urgent need for more effective prevention strategies. These two incidents are not isolated cases. In January alone, Kota has witnessed four other suicides by JEE aspirants. On January 18, 16-year-old Manan Jain hanged himself at his parents' house in Kota's Bundi. On January 16, Abhijeet Giri from Odisha took his life in his hostel room in Ambedkar Colony. On January 8, 20-year-old Abhishek from Madhya Pradesh was found hanging in his PG room, and on January 7, Neeraj from Haryana ended his life in his hostel room. This alarming trend raises serious concerns about the mental well-being of students in Kota. The city attracts thousands of young aspirants from across the country, all vying for a coveted seat in top engineering and medical colleges. The pressure to excel in these highly competitive exams is immense, and many students find themselves struggling to cope with the stress, isolation, and fear of failure. The Kota district administration has taken some steps to address this issue, such as issuing guidelines for hostels and paying guest accommodations, including the installation of anti-suicide devices. However, the recent incidents demonstrate that more needs to be done. A Call for Action The spate of suicides in Kota is a wake-up call for parents, educators, and policymakers. It is imperative to create a more supportive and nurturing environment for students, where their mental health is given as much importance as their academic performance. 1. Early intervention and counseling services: Coaching institutes and schools should provide easy access to mental health professionals and counselors who can identify and support students at risk. 2. Destigmatizing mental health: Open conversations about mental health challenges should be encouraged, and students should feel comfortable seeking help without fear of judgment. 3. Promoting healthy coping mechanisms: Students need to be equipped with effective stress management techniques and coping strategies to navigate the challenges of their academic journey. 4. Rethinking the competitive culture: While healthy competition can be motivating, it is crucial to foster a culture of collaboration and support, where students feel valued for their strengths and progress. Kota has the potential to be a beacon of educational excellence, but it cannot achieve its true potential if it continues to lose its brightest minds to suicide. It is time for a collective effort to create a Kota where dreams are nurtured, not shattered, and where every student feels supported and valued. *For more details visit* *https://www.theenn.com/video-17c719527.html* https://youtu.be/pnblRhCTjGQ