Nalanda/Patna: A 17-year-old student from Bihar’s Nalanda district has died by suicide in Kota, Rajasthan, the latest in a string of similar cases in the country’s coaching hub. The student, Harsh Raj Shankar, was preparing for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET-UG) and had been living in a hostel in Kota’s Jawahar Nagar for the past year. His body has been placed in the mortuary at a local hospital.
A Year in Kota
Seventeen-year-old Harsh had moved to Kota a year ago to pursue his medical entrance preparation. His family, upon receiving the devastating news, left for Kota on Thursday morning to collect his body. The tragedy has cast a pall of grief over his native village, where family members and residents remain inconsolable.
“He Was Doing Well in Studies”
Harsh had recently visited home for Holi, spending ten days with his family before returning to Kota on March 18. According to relatives, he had appeared to be in good spirits. “We last spoke to him during Holi, and he said everything was fine. He was always good at studies and dreamed of becoming a doctor,” said his uncle, Santosh Kumar. His father, Praveen Shankar, is a government school teacher, and Harsh was the eldest of two brothers.
Found Unresponsive in Hostel Room
The alarm was raised on Wednesday morning when Harsh did not open his hostel room door. His relatives, who also reside in the same hostel, knocked repeatedly but received no response. Eventually, the hostel warden informed the police. “The police arrived and broke the door open, only to find that the student had died by suicide. He was preparing for NEET alongside his Class 11 studies. The reasons behind his decision remain unknown,” said Ram Laxman Gurjar, a local police officer in Kota.
Growing Concern Over Student Suicides
Harsh’s death marks the ninth student suicide in Kota this year. In January alone, six coaching students—five preparing for JEE and one for NEET—ended their lives. Last year, 17 coaching students died by suicide in the city, highlighting the immense pressure many face in their pursuit of academic success.
Addressing Mental Health Concerns
Mental health challenges, particularly depression, remain a growing concern, often overlooked in Indian society. Experts emphasize the importance of seeking professional help and opening up to close friends or family members about mental distress. Those experiencing persistent negative thoughts or feelings of self-harm are encouraged to reach out for support. Several helplines are available for individuals in distress.
(If you are having suicidal thoughts, or are worried about a friend or need emotional support, someone is always there to listen. Call Sneha Foundation – 04424640050, Tele Manas – 14416 (available 24×7) or iCall, the Tata Institute of Social Sciences’ helpline – 02225521111, which is available Monday to Saturday from 8 am to 10 pm.)
