303 - Facebook rolls out new tools to help prevent suicides

Facebook rolls out new tools to help prevent suicides

by Matt Brian | @m4tt | February 26th 2015 at 5:21 am

With over a billion users, Facebook plays an important role in keeping people connected. It serves as a place to share good news, but also provides a platform for users to request support from their digital peers. The company is keenly aware that it can assist users when there is a cry for help, which is why it rolled out a (lengthy) way to flag suicidal content back in 2011. 

Now, it's taking that one step further by introducing new tools to boost its suicide prevention efforts.

This week, Facebook will begin rolling out a new option inside each post that lets users flag when a friend may be considering self harm. The concerned party can click on the little arrow at the top right of a status and click "Report Post." When that person logs in next, Facebook will then offer options to contact the person concerned about them, enlist the help of another friend or put them in contact with a suicide helpline.

The social network has teamed up with mental health organizations Forefront, Now Matters Now, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and Save.org to make it easier for users to show their concern. The feature will be available initially to those in the US and Facebook says it will complete the rollout within the next couple of months. It's also vowed to improve its tools for users in other parts of the world.

VIA: Time

SOURCE: Facebook

Flag Suicidal Content - 2011

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IMPORTANT: If you've encountered a direct threat of suicide on Facebook, please contact law enforcement or a suicide hotline immediately. If the person you're worried about is a member of the US military community, make sure you mention this so they can provide this person with custom support.

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302 - Kashmir PhD student at IIT-Hyderabad commits suicide: Police - Kashmir Despatch

Kashmir PhD student at IIT-Hyderabad commits suicide: Police

• Friday, 20 February 2015 15:04
• Srinagar:KD
• Published in Headlines

A PhD scholar Tariq-ul-Islam a resident of Ganderbal ended his life in Hyderabad by hanging himself at a hostel room.

A police spokesman said in a statement issued to Kashmir dispatch that According to Hyderabad police, last night Tariq-ul-Islam son of Ghulam Mohammad Dhobi resident of Dhobipora, Ganderbal who was a PhD Economics scholar at IIT Hyderabad came to meet his two friends Tauseef Ahmad  resident of Barsoo Awantipora and Sajad Ahmad Bhat resident of Yaripora, Kulgam both students of MA of    Central University  Hyderabad at their hostel.

After spending the night with his friends in the hostel, today Tariq went to offer prayers in a nearby room.  After sometime, his friends called him but he didn’t respond. They found the door bolted from inside. The door of the said room was broke opened and they found Tariq hanging.

Police Station Gachi Golie, Hyderabad was informed and the body of the deceased was taken for medico-legal formalities. A case was registered in the police station and investigation was taken up. Initial investigation by the police have revealed that the deceased has apparently committed suicide.

J&K police is in constant touch with the Hyderabad police authorities in this regard.

301 - IIT-Hyderabad student commits suicide in University of Hyderabad hostel - TNN

IIT-Hyderabad student commits suicide in University of Hyderabad hostel

TNN | Feb 21, 2015, 03.02AM IST

HYDERABAD: A PhD scholar from Kashmir studying in the Indian Institute of Technology-Hyderabad (IIT-H) allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself in a hostel room at University of Hyderabad (UoH) on Friday afternoon. 

Tareeq Ul Islam had come to visit his friends in the UoH and took the extreme step after going into an empty room on the pretext of performing prayers. While no suicide note was found, his family members from Srinagar said Tareeq was suffering from bouts of depression for the last five years. 

According to Gachibowli police, Tareeq (29) had come to HCU on Thursday to meet his friends Sajjad Ahmed, Tafeeq and Amjad Bhat. Tareeq was pursuing Phd in economics at IIT-H, and stayed back on the UoH campus on Thursday night. Around 2.30 pm on Friday, when his friends said that they will get him tea, Tareeq in turn informed them that he will offer prayers in another room in the meantime. 

"However, Tareeq entered room no 206, locked it from inside, and hanged himself," Gachibowli inspector J Ramesh told TOI. 

Tareeq had joined IIT-H two years ago. Further investigations are on. 

300 - PhD student at IIT-Hyderabad commits suicide in hostel room - India Today

PhD student at IIT-Hyderabad commits suicide in hostel room

IndiaToday.in  New Delhi, February 20, 2015 | UPDATED 21:42 IST

                   Picture for representational purpose.

Tariqul Islam, a research scholar at IIT-Hyderabad allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself in a hostel room at Hyderabad Central University (HCU) campus on Friday, police said.

The 27-year-old was pursuing PhD from IIT-Hyderabad, Kandi in neighbouring Medak district of Telangana and had come to meet his friends at HCU last night. He stayed back in their room only, they said.

"However, in the afternoon he told his friends that he is going for prayers and will return. But, he went to another room where he allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself from the ceiling fan with a rope," Gachibowli police station inspector Jupelly Ramesh said.

As per initial investigation, Tariqul resorted to the extreme step due to some depression, the officer said.

A case has been registered in this regard and further investigations are on, police added.

Read more at: http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/kashmir-phd-scholar-27-year-old-suicide-iit-hyderabad/1/420164.html

299 - " YOUR D.O.S.T " - SUPPORT GROUP - CO FOUNDED BY RICHA SINGH, IIT GUWAHATI ALUMNA

January 17th 2015

Dear Mr Ram Krishnaswamy,

I am writing to you because I know you can relate to the problem I am going to discuss about. I have been following your blog suicides at IITs for so many years now.

I am Richa, an IIT Guwahati Alumnus. Throughout my life I have seen people suffering emotionally, and recent depression and suicide cases have really got me thinking. I have quit my high paying IT job and am determined to solve this problem. 

Inspired to do something about it, we are building a platform where people like us whenever in stress/depression can anonymously seek help from our volunteers who are psychologists and other experienced compassionate people. 

Even with the prototype the demand is huge (300+users served in a 3 week). 

URL for prototype: http://www.yourdost.com

  

We, with your support aim to provide an emotional support system to help people during depression and loneliness, thereby creating a stress-free society.  

Campaign: https://milaap.org/campaigns/dost

This is something I truly believe in and today I need your little support in taking this mission ahead. It would mean so much to me, and those whose lives we can change a little.

Warm regards,

Richa Singh, 
Co-founder D.O.S.T 
www.yourdost.com

JAN 19TH 2015

Thank you Richa for your email. Truly admirable of a youngster like you to abandon your career and take up this initiative. I presume your support is for public in general and not limited to IIT students..

I have created the Suicides at IIT's Blog to raise public awareness and to make administrators, who were sweeping this issue of suicides in IIT's under the carpet, to take positive steps in addressing the problem and recognising the need for timely intervention and professional assistance to save these students. 

As an individual I have been contacted by many IIT students PG and UG on line and am doing my bit on a daily basis. It was just this new year my IIT Madras 1970 Batch mates are raising Rs One Crore for this cause through an initaitive called "Reach Out…" based in Chennai

My efforts are limited to IIT students..

I hope you realise that doing this part time can give one satisfaction of giving back to society. Doing this full time is a different kettle of fish and I know many psychologists and psychiatrists themselves going into deep depression, affecting their personal lives and relationships. So take care

I need time to evaluate your request and see how best I can assist. Do you have any IITG alumni you know who live in sydney ? I have received two similar requests so far from PanIIT members.

Perhaps you can tell me how I can help..

Ram

Sydney Australia 

January 24th 2015

Dear Mr Ram Krishnaswamy,

Apologies for delayed response, somehow your mail landed in spam (still figuring out why!). Yes my support is for public in general, however I plan to start by increasing awareness by this among students (15 - 25 years of age) as they are the most vulnerable.

I really appreciate your effort. A friend of mine committed suicide in 2008 and that is when I felt very strongly about trying to build an emotional support system. Though it took years after that to be able to take this up fully.

Our prototype: www.yourdost.com

Reach out is a nice initiative. 

I agree but the kind of psychologists, experienced people we have on our platform are those who want to give back to society and volunteer few hours a day to help others deal with stress.

I checked but I do not have any IIT Guwahati alum that I know who stays in Sydney. I do have some friends back from my high school who are working in Melbourne. You can get more details about me from - https://www.linkedin.com/in/richa0387

I am doing some fund-raising to meet the increasing demand of our system. Even with just a prototype, in 30-35 days we are gratified by the response (have got 300+ signups, 7 counselors are onboard). I was wondering if you can support me in the campaign by contribution/ increasing awareness/ suggesting me who could I reach out to /mentorship - https://milaap.org/campaigns/dost

Looking forward to hear from you soon.

Warm regards,

Richa Singh, 
Co-founder Your D.O.S.T 
www.yourdost.com

  

Richa which batch are you ? I asked if any of your classmates are in Sydney to see if we could leverage the IIT Alumni assn in Australia and not to check on you. You call it DOST and at IITM we call it MITR..

As a first step I will create a Prominent Link on my Blog to Publicise DOST. so you tell me what text you want included and send me most appropriate jpg that will attract attention Plus a bit about yourself and what made you take this up as a full time career etc etc 

Ram

26th January 2015

Dear Mr Ram Krishnaswamy,

I am from class of 2009.

I do not have any classmates in Australia. Let me know if you think I should write to anyone in IIT Association.

Please find the attached banner.

Also a video that talks about my motivation: https://vimeo.com/92132402

 About me.

I am Richa Singh, an IIT Guwahati Alumnus with 5+ years of experience in product management roles. 

Throughout my life I have seen people suffering emotionally. My friend, Akshita (name changed) committed suicide due to anticipation of bad placement; but none of us had any clue of her suffering before she took the drastic step. I thought this could have been avoided if only she would have spoken to someone! Recent depression and suicide cases around have made me determined to solve this problem. 

Inspired to do something about it, we have built a platform (www.yourdost.com) where people like us whenever in stress/depression can anonymously seek online help from special friends who are psychologists and other experienced individuals. 

Let me know if you want me to make any changes.

Warm regards,

Richa Singh, 
Co-founder D.O.S.T 
www.yourdost.com

298 - iit-student-commits-suicide-in-adilabad-

 iit-student-commits-suicide-in-adilabad-

http://telugustop.com/iit-student-commits-suicide-in-adilabad-tv9-telugu-full-hd-wap-video-photo/

297 - IIT-B sets up FB page to help students tackle stress, anxiety - Indian Express

IIT-B sets up FB page to help students tackle stress, anxiety

 The institute plans to conduct orientation programmes for faculty members, too. 

(Source: Express Archive)

Written by Mihika Basu | Mumbai | Posted: January 26, 2015 4:09 am

“Promise me you’ll always remember: You’re braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think”, and “taming your anger tips”, are some of the posts posted on the Facebook page “I

Care IITB: counselling and mental health”, an initiative by IIT Bombay. It is an attempt by the institute to reach out to its students and address their stress, anger and related issues in a friendly, unconventional and non-intimidating way, via social media. Both students and faculty members can share their views and problems on this page.

According to institute officials, self-help resources on stress, relationships and soft skills are provided via the Facebook platform. Some of the other posts include “music for solace” and “just having a simple ‘to do list’ can keep you on track with all the things that need to be accomplished in a day. Try it your smartphone can make you smart as well” and “feels like Winnie the Pooh day – always put a smile on my face”.

Students can use the Facebook page to get regular tips on managing stress, anger, anxiety, emotional and relationship issues, or even problems faced by students when they shift from a vernacular medium or a rural set-up to a city culture and to an English-medium of instruction. They can also know about any upcoming workshops organised by the counselling care centre such as academic stress management.

The initiative is an extension of the enhanced counselling services at the institute. While IIT Bombay already had a counselling facility at the office of dean of student affairs (DoSA), a new counselling centre has been set up at the institute’s main building. The setting up of the new centre was partly supported by the ‘Legacy project’ of the alumni batch of 1986. At present, the institute has three counsellors.

“With an increase in the number of students over the years, the need was felt to have more counsellors and a more friendly and informal approach. The counsellor now routinely goes to all the hostels and visits students to understand if they need any guidance. It intends to identify students facing problems. This new centre will conduct orientation sessions and workshops for the students,” said Rashmi Uday Kumar, Public Relations Officer, IIT Bombay.

There have been cases of suicide among students across IITs after entering the elite institutes. There has been growing realisation for the need of a more approachable medium, where counselling is more student-friendly.

The institute plans to conduct orientation programmes for faculty members, too, so that they are better equipped to recognise and take care of students who are in need of help.

mihika.basu@expressindia.com

- See more at: http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/iit-b-sets-up-fb-page-to-help-students-tackle-stress-anxiety/#sthash.VfrzX8nj.dpuf

296 - TTK Center for Rehabilitation Research and Device Development (R2D2) Launched at IIT Madras India Education Diary

TTK Center for Rehabilitation Research and Device Development (R2D2) Launched at IIT Madras Monday, January 19, 2015 Report by India Education bureau, Chennai: Shri T T Jagannathan, Chairman, TTK Prestige, inaugurated the “TTK Center for Rehabilitation Research & Device Development (R2D2)” at IIT Madras today. Shri Jagannathan is a Distinguished Alumnus of IIT Madras, having graduated in 1970 with a B.Tech. in Mechanical Engineering. The TTK Group has committed Rs. 3.68 crores of funding for the Center over a 5 year period. This funding will facilitate the sustained efforts of Dr. Sujatha Srinivasan and her students in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at IIT Madras to enable individuals with physical impairments to lead independent lives via the use of orthotic, prosthetic, and other assistive devices. Developing assistive devices for people affected by locomotor impairments is a key focus area of Dr. Sujatha Srinivasan and her students in the Rehabilitation Research and Device Development (R2D2) group in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at IIT Madras. The group has developed working prototypes for various devices such as a standing wheelchair, a prosthetic knee, a swimming pool lift and a body-motion-controlled wheelchair. Several more projects are in various stages of development. The new “TTK Centre for R2D2”will leverage the engineering strengths of IIT-Madras to improve clinical outcomes and fill a huge existing void in the availability of functional, affordable assistive devices for people with locomotor impairments in India. The purpose of the Centerwill be to engineer and develop affordable products for our country's rehabilitation needs, work with clinical specialists, NGOs, hospitals, etc., to field-test the designs, and foster a research environment to evaluate assistive device designs and improve upon them from biomechanical and functional standpoints. The Centre intends to work with like-minded industrial partners so that high quality designs reach the mass market at affordable prices. The inauguration of the center was done at the Reunion of the 1970 batch of IITM. To mark the reunion, the batch is additionally raising funds to support the Counselling and Suicide Prevention inside IIT. Over 90 alumni are participating in this reunion along with 48 spouses from various parts of the world including New Zealand, Australia, Europe, USA and Canada and from all over India. Shri Jagannathan expressed his pride in being a product of IIT Madras, stating that “the foundation provided by IITM made it possible for me to comfortably post-graduate in Operations Research from Cornell University. My education at IITM helped me to successfully head the TTK Group and make unique contributions to product innovation. I consider it my duty and privilege to support the institution I qualified from. In the past, a Chair was created by IITM in the name of TTK in recognition of support extended by TTK Group. I am impressed by the Rehabilitation Research and Device Development (R2D2) initiative of IITM and the presentation made by Prof. Nagarajan and Dr. Sujatha Srinivasan. I believe that this initiative will deliver improvised devices at affordable prices for use by physically challenged people and bring quality to their life. We are extremely happy to contribute to this research project. I thank IITM for providing me this opportunity to fund a project that will be useful to the society". “As IIT Madras grows from strength to strength in education and research, we look to alumni to catalyse and accelerate our efforts,” said Prof. Bhaskar Ramamurthi, Director, IIT Madras. “Apart from being generous donors, many alumni now engage actively with their alma mater in bolstering its research and entrepreneurship programmes. Mr. TT Jagannathan’s outstanding support for creating a somewhat unusual research laboratory is a shining example of this kind of engagement.” Prof. Nagarajan, Dean of International & Alumni Relations at IIT Madras, welcomed the contribution of the TTK Group, and in particular praised the role played by Shri Jagannathan in making it happen. “Shri Jagannathan was very receptive to the concept of the R2D2 Center from the very beginning. His encouragement culminated in the presentation of a proposal by Dr. Sujatha at the TTK Offices in Bengaluru, and the subsequent grant of funding. Alumni like Shri Jagannathan are such valuable resources to us as IIT Madras realizes its full potential as a world-class academic R & D hub with a sharp focus on societal needs”.

295 - ‘A brilliant son, an even better human being’ - Indian Express

‘A brilliant son, an even better human being’

Written by Sandali Tiwari | Gurgaon | Posted: January 9, 2015 2:30 am

“Mom, Dad, I’m really sorry. You deserved a better son. But please let me go. I’m sorry,” read Sumedh Prasad’s suicide note. He probably didn’t realise just how proud his parents were of him.

A day after his 27-year-old son jumped to his death from the 13th floor of their apartment complex in Gurgaon, Surinder Prasad has only this to say. “He was a brilliant son, and an even better human being.”

Sumedh’s devastated parents are still trying to find an answer as to what triggered the tragic  step.

A budding violinist, photographer, blogger and a chess player, Sumedh was gifted, his friends said. “He was an artistic person and that made him extremely sensitive. It is difficult to say what he went through at that time,” Surinder, a retired professor of IIT-Delhi, said. “Maybe, he was going through a low,” he added after a pause.

Sumedh’s emotive side is very evident on his blog. “Life. A simple reality. A complex implementation. An amalgamation of beauty and pain, laughter & tears, wastefulness & creativity…”read Sumedh’s blog, Dripping Vanilla.

“Sumedh was also exceptionally intelligent. But, his inclination towards music was what kept him going,” Siddharth Vaderaa, a composer who joined Sumedh on his musical journey two years ago, said. “He was in a phase of depression,” he added.

An exceptional chess player, Sumedh often thought Delhi was not a conducive place for an artist to grow, his friend said.

Surya Prakash, the guard at Parsavnath Exotica on Golf Course Road in Sector 53, where Sumedh lived, was the first to see his body. “I heard a loud noise. I went out thinking monkeys had come. That’s when I saw the body,” he said.

Sumedh often spoke of after life and was well-versed in the Upanishads, his friend said. The last post on his blog page seemed to echo this. “Sumedh Prasad, will be back shortly,” it read.

- See more at: http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/a-brilliant-son-an-even-better-human-being/#sthash.21zk3twn.dpuf

294 - Two teachers jump to death in Gurgaon - Business Standard

Two teachers jump to death in Gurgaon

IANS  |  Gurgaon  January 7, 2015 Last Updated at 17:30 IST

A 53-year-old woman and a 27 year-old man, both working as teachers, Wednesday jumped to their deaths from high-rise buildings in this suburban town of the national capital, police said.

Sadhna Sangwan, a teacher at a school in Sector 10 and a resident of Sukriti Apartments in Sector 56, jumped from the seventh floor of the building.

In the second incident, Saurav Prasad, a music teacher, jumped from the 13th floor of the Parwashnath Exotica in Sushant Lok area.

Sadhna Sangwan's husband Balkishan, who is an officer in the Indian Railways in Delhi, told police his wife was undergoing treatment for depression.

Their only son lives in Canada and she was all alone in the house when she took the extreme step. No suicide note was found.

Saurav Prasad's father Surendra Prasad is a retired IIT professor.

Police said Saurav Prasad left a suicide note that said: "Sorry Mom, Dad, I could not fulfill your wishes."

The bodies were handed over to the families after a post-mortem examination.

293 - Son of former IIT professor jumps to death - The Hindu

GURGAON, January 8, 2015

Updated: January 8, 2015 05:35 IST

Son of former IIT professor jumps to death

ASHOK KUMAR

A young musician son of a retired IIT professor jumped to death from the 13th floor of a residential high-rise in Sector 53 here on Wednesday.

Twenty-seven-year-old Sumed Prasad lived with his parents at Parsavnath Exotica on Golf Course Road. His father, Surender Prasad, is a retired IIT-Delhi professor and his elder brother Saurabh works in the United States. 

“The deceased left a suicide note apologising for not being a good son. He was a graduate and a musician. He generally practised at home and was undergoing treatment for depression”, said Rajesh Pal, Assistant Commissioner of Police (DLF), Gurgaon.

The incident came to light when Mr. Prasad heard the news that a boy had jumped from the building and was shocked to see the body of his own son.

292 - 27-year-old son of IIT-Delhi professor commits suicide - TNN

27-year-old son of IIT-Delhi professor commits suicide

Rao Jaswant Singh, TNN | Jan 7, 2015, 12.57PM IST

By the time ambulance reached and the doctors examined, he was pronounced dead.

GURGAON: A 27-year-old youth, son of an IIT-Delhi professor, committed suicide by jumping from 13th floor of posh condominium Parsvanath Exotica on DLF Golf course in Gurgaon on Wednesday morning. 

Around 7.00am, when Doctor Surendra Prasad woke up, he found his second floor flat's main door locked from outside. When he looked around, he found duplicate key near the door. He then saw his son Sumedh's room locked, when he opened the door he found his son missing. 

Prasad found a note from his son which read: "I could not prove to be good son. Let me go". At the same time, he heard a loud thud after which he rushed outside to find his son lying in pool of blood. The condominium security guard informed police. 

By the time ambulance reached and the doctors examined, he was pronounced dead. 

The victim's mother is also a faculty member in a college in Delhi while his brother is working in US. 

According to Sushant Lok police, the victim locked the flat from outside and went to 13th floor and jumped from there. The body has been sent for postmortem and case has been registered in this regard. 

The exact cause behind the suicide could not be ascertained. "We have recorded the statements of victim's parents and matter is under investigation," said an official. 

291 - Why BITS Pilani Does Not Have a Suicide Club like IITs? - Ask IITians

Why BITS Pilani Does Not Have a Suicide Club like IITs?

askIITians       2014-03-14      General Discussion     9 Comments

The debate over supremacy between India’s two hallowed engineering institutions, BITS Pilani and IITs, is reaching to a real controversial chapter with critics finally delving into the subject they have avoided till now—suicides.

The recent news of an IIT-Guwahati student, S.M. Shohaib, ending his life under mysterious circumstances has sparked outrage in the country over IITs inability to deal with situations that lead students to take such an extreme step.

On the other hand, BITS Pilani sports a squeaky-clean image with fewer suicide cases thanIITs. But the real question is—how? Especially when they are both brutal famous engineering institutions churning out the world’s best engineers. They are both teaching the same damn subjects! Why are students at peace in BITS Pilani?

Engineering aspirants who wish to join BITS-Pilani someday believe that the campus offers flexibility in education. Students are almost free to pursue anything in the campus. This engineering institution believes in giving opportunities to students and makes explore them with deep insightful strategies.

Students have flexibility to choose their subjects of choice as electives along with their main subjects. All of it keeps students at peace at BITS-Pilani campuses. There’s no way one can get depressed or feel mentally exploited by campus administration.

Single rooms and no attendance are two quite unique features only introduced by BITS-Pilani. That means students who are not comfortable sharing their rooms with other students can live in a single room facility. This not only gives them a sense of privacy, but also helps them concentrate deeply on their studies. Living with others in engineering institutions has as many benefits as drawbacks.

No attendance policy of BITS Pilani is its most talked-about feature. Students don’t have to attend boring classes just for the heck of it. BITS-Pilani don’t force its students to attend classes that they don’t want to. Of course, this does not happen in IITs. Students are required to maintain a good attendance rate in IITs, which many students believe takes toll in their lives at one point or another.

All right! Shortage of quality faculty in IITs was big news recently. All IITs are still grappling to deal with this situation. Shortage of quality faculty affects overall education system of just any institution. Depression among students has been closely linked to shortage of quality teaching staff according to many studies.

However, BITS Pilani has some of the world’s best teaching staff. They not only teach students, but also give their valuable guidance whenever they need. They understand them. Many decisions in the campus are taken by teachers and students mutually. So there is no point of students getting stressed over anything. BITS Pilani understands the role of right education in students’ life but does not feed it to them blindly. BITS Pilani believes in making teaching creative and smart.

According to reports, suicide rates in IITs increase by 18% every year. This clearly shows that the entire education system in IITs needs an immediate reform. Although both institutions teach the same thing to students, the difference between their ways of teaching changes the entire game.

IIT-Guwahati Joins IITs’ Suicide Club

The Haunted Truth of Indian Institute of Technology

Suicide Strikes Again in IIT-Roorkee after 2 Years—Death Toll Rises to 4 in IITs since December

IIT Kanpur Student Commits Suicide—Third Suicide Case in IIT-Kanpur Since last December

This post was published by Nishant Sinha, co-founder of askIITians.

290 - Junior colleges fail to teach life skills - Deccan Chronicle

Junior colleges fail to teach life skills

DC CORRESPONDENT | December 28, 2014, 05.12 am IST

Hyderabad: It is often alleged that the reason many students from the two Telugu-speaking states commit suicide at the IITs is the way coaching institutions and corporate junior colleges teach them prior to their admission to the premier institutes.

Experts say that while the students are prepared academically, emphasis on character building is almost non-existent.

Students at coaching institutions have almost no time to think of anything apart from academics.

Read: Facebook page slams private colleges

Counselling sessions do not exist and while day scholars at least have family support, the hostellers are truly at loss.

Also, most of the Telugu IIT students who committed suicides, had prepared for the JEE in corporate junior colleges.  The latest victim, Kaki Parameswara Rao, had also studied away from his home in a corporate college at Vizag. And so did many victims before him.

 It would, of course, be wrong to blame just coaching institutions for all the suicides, but they do contribute to the problem along with other factors, including the student’s own psyche. Corporate colleges pay little attention to the emotional stress that students face or are likely to face in the future.

K. Shashank, a BITS-Pilani Hyderabad alumnus, who also studied in a corporate college, says, “Corporate colleges often feel like closed boxes. It is worse for the hostel students because they are hardly exposed to anything other than books”

“Many students settle for mediocre colleges and not for long-term coaching institutes just because they don’t want to go be in that environment. Nobody cares about the emotions of a student at the coaching institutes,” another graduate of a corporate college and Manipal alumnus B. Aditya Sree said.

FIITJEE mentor director Dr P. Anand Raman claims coaching institutions just manufacture machines and don’t turn out individuals. “Coaching institutions are there to coach students and help them get ranks. Even parents want that. They want their children to work hard and get into IITs. They seldom think about the emotions of their children,” remarked a senior lecturer.

289 - Most who end lives from Telangana, Andhra Pradesh - Deccan Chronicle

Most who end lives from Telangana, Andhra Pradesh

DC CORRESPONDENT | December 27, 2014, 01.12 am IST

The Task Force also exhorted IITs and other institutions to set up counselling centres for the benefit of students.

Hyderabad: Over the last 25 years, nearly 66 IIT students have committed suicide and, strikingly, more than 20 of them have been from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana State.

This year has already witnessed 16 suicides while in 2011, there were 10 suicides in different IIT campuses across the country.

The two years in between 2012 and 2013 fortunately had fewer suicides, but the trend of increasing suicide numbers is apparent. This year, nearly six IIT students from AP and TS committed suicides.

A Task Force report of the HRD ministry on suicides in higher education institutions had said that the most common reasons for suicide were relationship issues, personal problems, mental stress, and family problems. Poor grades were also found to fuel suicide cases, said the report.

The Task Force also exhorted IITs and other institutions to set up counselling centres for the benefit of students. Some of the IITs have already set up the counselling centres.

But this hasn’t arrested the spike in the number of suicides. IIT Kanpur has a full-fledged counselling centre, but also has the infamous tag of having the highest number of suicides.

288 - IIT - Guwahati student commits suicide (26-12-2014) - ABN Telugu - You Tube

IIT - Guwahati student commits suicide (26-12-2014)

287 - IIT Guwahati suicide case: Mug up race takes a toll - Deccan Chronicle

IIT Guwahati suicide case: Mug up race takes a toll

DC | Amar Tejaswi | December 27, 2014, 07.12 am IST

The pressure of excelling at everything you do makes you emotionally weak. More emphasis should be laid on support and guidance.”

Hyderabad: The alleged suicide of K. Parameswara Rao from Visakhapatnam at the Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati, on Thursday has ignited the debate on the competitive environment in IITs and the rising suicide rate.

Experts say that the difference in learning at coaching classes (before the Joint Entrance Exam) and at the IIT, demotivates a lot of students, driving them to suicide.

While academic pressure is most often blamed, the alumni of IITs say the skewed expectations of students themselves are a common reason for suicide.

The exact cause of Parameswara Rao’s death is yet to be ascertained, but it is thought that low grades pushed him to suicide.

Dr P. Anand Raman, mentor-director at FIITJEE, Hyderabad, said that the transition from learning in JEE coaching classes to learning at IITs is quite precarious though the environment in IITs is not the most vigorous.

“With the predictable format and questions of JEE now, students are encouraged to rote learn. But when they go to IITs, they find it requires the  individual application of one’s mind.

That’s what happened with the topper of IIT JEE 2010. When he passed out of IIT-Bombay his CGPA, was only 7. Teaching systems are different and so they get de-motivated.”

Experts rue the fact that while Andhra Pradesh and Telangana State send the most students to IITs, students from these two states also have the highest suicide rate.

Shilpa Muduy, an alumnus of IIT-Kharagpur, said, “The curriculum in IITs doesn’t put pressure on students but the environment does.

The pressure of excelling at everything you do makes you emotionally weak. More emphasis should be laid on support and guidance.”

While parents, whose wards have committed suicides in IITs always assert that their children were academically brilliant, low grades are the most common reason.

Sky-high expectations are another reason. “The biggest problem is skewed expectations from all quarters, including the students themselves.

At that age, everything feels like the end of the world. They require counselling. Colleges must set up units to address issues ranging from academic, monetary and relationships to internships and placements,” said Sri Nitya A., an alumnus of IIT-Kharagpur. Alumni also suggest setting up of anonymous hotlines like in the United States.

Students from economically weaker sections face a steeper climb, and if they miss a step, it adds to the emotional pressure. “Students from economically weaker sections face the lack of emotional support from parents, which affluent students get.

They also have a lot of responsibilities. They feel they have to get a good job to support their parents,” an IIT- Hyderabad professor said.

Students also get distracted and obsessed with new-found freedom, sitcoms, movies, gaming and relationships.

“In school, many believe that getting into an IIT and landing a job is the final milestone of their life and it will be a smooth ride post that.

When their grades suffer and the axe looms, they get depressed and frustrated,” Sumit Kumar, an alumnus of IIT Madras said.

286 - B Tech student K Parameswara Rao was coming home in January- Deccan Chronicle

B Tech student K Parameswara Rao was coming home in January

DC CORRESPONDENT | December 27, 2014, 01.12 am IST

Parameswara Rao’s relatives mourn in K. Kotapadu of Vizag district on Friday. — DC

Visakhapatnam: Parents and relatives of 20 year old Kaki Parameswara Rao, the final year B.Tech student at IIT Guwahati, have raised doubts over his death. He was found hanging from a ceiling fan in his hostel room on Thursday afternoon.

The student hails from K Kotapadu area of Vizag district. His father K. Venkata Rao runs a paan shop.

“We don’t know what happened at IIT-Guwahati on December 24 evening and we are not in a position to trust the institute professors. I know my son was brilliant, brave and confident. He would not take such a drastic step over low grades,” said Mr Rao.

His maternal uncle N. Venkata Rao said Parmeswara spoke to him December 23 and said he would come home for Sankranti.

Neither authorities nor Parameswara’s friends have spoken about what happened. The mortal remains of the student were sent to Delhi on Friday and will reach Vizag city on Saturday morning. His family has said they are waiting for the post-mortem report and fight for justice.