Eighth NEET aspirant suicide in Rajasthan's Kota; teen student takes own life
PTC News Desk: In yet another tragic turn of events, a 19-year-old student from Lucknow, identified as Soumya, took her own life by hanging herself in her rented room in Kota, Rajasthan. Soumya was fervently preparing for the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET), aiming to secure admission into a prestigious medical college. This incident marks the eighth suicide involving NEET aspirants in Kota this year alone, shedding light once again on the immense pressure and challenges faced by students in pursuit of their academic dreams.
Soumya's demise adds to a series of distressing events that have unfolded in Kota, renowned as a prominent coaching hub for competitive examinations like NEET. Despite being enrolled in private coaching classes, Soumya succumbed to the mounting stress and despair, highlighting the harrowing toll that the intense academic competition can take on young minds.
The somber discovery of Soumya's lifeless body has left her family shattered, as they grapple with the devastating loss of their loved one. Her body has been entrusted to the mortuary of a local hospital, awaiting the arrival of her grief-stricken family members. Authorities have pledged to conduct a thorough post-mortem examination, seeking to unravel the circumstances that led to this heartbreaking tragedy.
Tragically, Soumya's demise closely follows another incident that occurred merely two days prior, further underscoring the pressing need to address the underlying issues plaguing the academic environment in Kota. Uruz Khan, a 20-year-old aspirant also preparing for NEET, was found in a similar state, having taken his own life in his rented accommodation. These incidents serve as distressing reminders of the profound mental health challenges faced by students amidst the relentless pursuit of academic excellence.
Law enforcement agencies have initiated investigations into Soumya's death, striving to uncover any pertinent factors that might have propelled her towards such a drastic course of action. Meanwhile, concerns continue to mount as statistics reveal a distressing trend of student suicides in Kota, with last year alone witnessing the tragic loss of 29 young lives to suicide amidst the NEET preparation frenzy.
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In light of these alarming developments, voices advocating for systemic changes in the educational landscape have grown louder. The Supreme Court, in a notable pronouncement last year, emphasised the need to address the systemic pressures placed on students, attributing much of the burden to parental expectations rather than institutional shortcomings. This call to action underscores the imperative of fostering a supportive academic environment that prioritises student well-being over relentless academic pursuits.
As the community mourns the untimely loss of yet another promising young life, there is an urgent call for concerted efforts to reform the educational paradigm, ensuring that no student succumbs to the overwhelming pressures of academic competition. Only through collective action and empathetic understanding can society hope to prevent further tragedies and foster a nurturing environment conducive to the holistic development of its youth.
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(Inputs from agencies)
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