In Kota, Rajasthan, two aspiring medical students tragically died by suicide on Tuesday (June 27). The first incident involved an 18-year-old student named Mehul Vaishnav from Udaipur, who was found hanging in his hostel room that morning.
Mehul had been diligently preparing for the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) at a coaching institute in Kota for the past two months. No suicide note was discovered at the scene, leaving the reasons for his desperate act unknown.
Mehul, a resident of Salumbar, Udaipur, had been residing in a hostel located in the Vigyan Nagar area. The incident occurred while Mehul was alone in his room, as his roommate was absent that night.
Concerned about his prolonged absence, Mehul's hostel mates notified the caretaker, who eventually broke and open the door and discovered his lifeless body. The authorities conducted a postmortem examination on the student's body.
Similarly, another coaching student named Aditya, who had recently arrived in Kota, also died by suicide. Aditya was actively preparing for medical entrance exams.
These tragic deaths add to a distressing trend, with a total of nine student suicides reported in Kota over the past two months. Five cases occurred in May, and four occurred in June of this year.
In the wake of these incidents, the parents of the deceased students have expressed their concerns regarding the circumstances that may have driven their children to take such extreme measures.
They are awaiting a response from the college or institute authorities regarding any potential academic pressures or other factors that may have contributed to their children's distress. The grieving parents hope for answers and support during this difficult time.
The incidents in Kota highlight the immense pressure and challenges faced by aspiring medical students in India. The pursuit of medical education is often accompanied by intense competition, long study hours, and high expectations.
The cumulative effect of these factors can lead to stress, anxiety, and even mental health issues among students.
It is crucial for educational institutions and society as a whole to prioritise the well-being of students, offering support systems, counselling services, and awareness programs to address mental health concerns and prevent such tragic outcomes.