29 January 2024
Sandeep Dhand ( Ludhiana )
n a heart-wrenching incident, 18-year-old Niharika Singh, a dedicated JEE aspirant from Kota, Rajasthan, took her own life today by hanging herself. Niharika, who resided with her family in Shiv Vihar Colony, left behind a poignant suicide note expressing apologies to her parents and describing herself as a “loser.”
This devastating news comes amidst Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s annual interaction with students preparing for school board exams, known as “Pariksha Pe.” Niharika’s untimely demise casts a somber shadow on the educational environment in Kota, known for its coaching institutes.
Scheduled to take her JEE test on either January 30 or 31, Niharika was the eldest of three sisters. Her father, employed as a security guard in a private bank in Kota, now grapples with the profound grief of losing his daughter. This tragic incident follows another suicide earlier this year, highlighting the mental health challenges faced by students in this competitive academic environment.
Last year alone, Kota witnessed the distressing loss of 26 students to suicide. The alarming frequency of such incidents underscores the urgent need for enhanced mental health support and awareness within the student community. Authorities are urged to address the pressures students face during the rigorous exam preparation, aiming for a more compassionate and holistic approach to education.
As the community mourns the loss of yet another promising young life, it prompts reflection on the toll exacted by academic stress and the imperative for a collective effort to create a supportive and nurturing environment for students pursuing their dreams.