Living on the Edge!

I had dreams just like everyone…away from home at the best institute, sorry I turned out to be a waste…don’t forget to live your life while working…ek hi zindagi mili hain…these are a few reported word excerpts from the 8-page suicide note reportedly left by an IITian, who committed suicide at his hostel in Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Hyderabad. It’s a ‘tragedy’ and a spreading ‘blot’ in the society and a mockery of the education system. Even after gaining entrance into premier institutions, students are ‘forced’ to commit suicide. India’s coaching capital – Kota – has seen multiple suicide cases. What drives them to commit suicide? When will we address the crisis? Who is responsible?

A matter of concern - Great expectations, higher achievement dilemmas, pressure to perform, fear of failure, peer pressure, pushing students beyond their limits, hostile environments and academic rigor, problems with the family, bullying, caste-based discrimination, lack of motivation and parental neglect, confusion and burden of choice of career for success, job opportunity crisis, employment insecurity coupled with mental health issues such as anxiety and depression - are some of the major problems and cases that have taken a toll on the students’ lives. Young minds are unable to deal with such stressful and nerve-racking conditions and end up taking harsh decisions to the extent of choosing to end their lives.

A student commits suicide every hour in India, according to latest data from the National Crime Records Bureau. Reportedly, India -- the world’s second most populous country -- has one of the highest suicide rates among those aged 15-29.

Who is responsible? Everyday, students' suicide cases are reported from across the country. A few recent cases speak of the plight these students face. A 26-year-old post graduate student, reportedly committed suicide at a hostel of the government-run BYL Nair Hospital in Mumbai. The doctor hung herself after allegedly facing harassment at the hands of senior doctors at the hospital. In Tamil Nadu, two students committed suicide after failing to qualify in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test 2019. In Telangana, at least 19 students reportedly committed suicide after failing school final the Board of Intermediate Education (BIE) examinations, which was reportedly marked in controversy after there were discrepancies in the results. And still counting...

Its high time, ‘worrisome’ student suicide problem needs to be addressed. Students are assets for the future prosperity of the nation. Therefore, it is imperative to see how this ‘sensitive’ issue can be dealt with to prevent students from ever contemplating this line of thought in their minds to take extreme steps.

We need change and affirmative action at home, institution level and in the education system, before students' suicide case becomes an ‘emergency’ and a 'curse on the society'.

(Representational images: source)