'Happiness Hostels' in Kota: Ex-IITians' initiative to tackle student suicides
Thousands of students every year move to Rajasthan's Kota, India's coaching hub, with an aim to clear competitive exams like JEE and NEET among others. While some clear the exams, many succumb to the pressure they are put under, and commit suicide. To fight the alarming suicide rates, a group of IIT alumni decided to convert the city's hostels into "Happiness Hostels". Here's more.
Initiative to provide stress-free environment to students
The "Happiness Hostels" are expected to reduce the stress levels among students. These hostels provide a home-like environment to the competitive exam aspirants. Along with Internet facility, indoor and outdoor games, cultural activities, and books, the hostels will provide counseling to students.
'Objective is to tell students, scoring less isn't the end'
An ex-IITian working in the project, Nikita Jain, in her conversation with The Better India, said, "With the insane rat race, students tend to have an emotional breakdown, and when they cannot share their problems, the depression mounts." "Our main objective is to tell students that failing or scoring less is not the end of the world and they are not alone," she added.
Happiness Hostels provide a number of facilities to students
The facilities at "Happiness Hostels" are dedicated to providing students with a much-needed break from rigorous coaching and study hours. The hostels' premises have a social hall for students to interact during their leisure time. They can also share their issues and problems with two caretakers employed at each hostel and reach out to a team of doctors available 24/7 for emergencies.
600 hostels being transformed under 'Happiness Hostels' initiative
Food quality and proper hygiene are also given much-needed attention at "Happiness Hostels". Last year, the team of 12 ex-IITians distributed "happiness guide" booklets to 1 lakh students that contained discount coupons for restaurants, coffee-shops, stationery shops, etc. Since last year, around 600 hostels in Kota are being transformed under this mission. Several students in Kota also talked about their experience in such hostels.
Friends have now become family, says a student
"Staying away from family and spending most hours studying without immediate outcomes does get frustrating at times. The newly introduced indoor games have helped me make friends who've now become family," said Nikhil, who moved to Kota last year. Another student, Arish Waradh, said when it comes to coaching classes, there are usually no recreational activities, but Happiness Hostels are indeed reducing the pressure.
Kota recorded 77 student suicide cases between 2013 and 2018
According to a report, 77 student suicide cases were registered in Kota between 2013 and 2018. So in this context, "Happiness Hostels" is a welcome initiative and might help depressed pupils. In Kota, there are over 2,500 hostels accommodating more than two lakh students.
