Kota had recently taken the initiative to add string-loaded fans in students room as a preventive measure of suicide by students. Following this, a new measure of adding “anti-suicide” nets to balconies in hostels has been taken up by the authorities of the coaching hub to prevent students from taking any extreme step.These steps are being taken to make the hostels premises “suicide proof” and are important to avoid such tragic incidents according to the hostel owners.Thousands of students move to this popular coaching institute to prepare for competitive exams such as the Joint Entrance Exam (JEE) for engineering and the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) for admission to medical colleges.However many students are not able to keep up with the tremendous pressure of preparing for these exams and end up taking their own lives. In 2023 itself, 20 students preparing for competitive exams in Kota have ended their lives so far which is reported to be the highest of any year. In 2022 the total figure for such incidents was only 15.Comments of Hostel Owners “We have installed huge nets in all lobbies and balconies to block students in case they jump from higher floors. These nets can hold weight up to 150 kg and also ensure that students do not get injured,” said Vinod Gautam, owner of Vishalakshi Residency, a girls hostel with over 200 rooms spread across eight floors.Gautam further mentioned that these measures will give a sense of confidence to the parents since they are far away from their children. “So far, no suicide has taken place in my hostel, but we have to be ready. Parents often panic, and such measures will give them confidence as they are far away from their children,” he said.Regarding the nets being installed he said that he suspected the students might still find a way and hence double safety measures should be taken.“So we are installing nets made of steel wires, which are not largely visible but are very strong, and it is not possible to cut or remove them without professional equipment. The installation of these nets is currently in progress. Such an arrangement is used in various multi-story buildings in Mumbai. It is a costly affair but saving lives is more important,” he said.Authorities address Kotas issue Responding to an interview Deputy Commissioner OP Bunkar said “ We are taking several measures, right from routine psychological tests of children to effective communication with parents. However, measures like spring-loaded fans can be helpful in preventing any attempt being made in the heat of the moment by a student. Once that attempt is unsuccessful, students can be counseled and other measures can be implemented too,” he said.This measure to introduce the spring-loaded fans was taken up on 12 August, at a meeting between Kota officials and other stakeholders. Later, Mr Bunker issued the directions, demanding strict compliance.The mechanisms of the spring-loaded fan are designed in such a way that if an object weighing more than 20 kg is hung from the fan, the spring attached to it expands, making it impossible for someone to die by suicide by this method. A siren also goes off simultaneously.
