315 - 'Efforts to prevent suicides remain ineffective at IITs'

'Efforts to prevent suicides remain ineffective at IITs'

Yogita Rao & Vinamrata Borwankar,

TNN | May 4, 2015, 02.46 AM IST

MUMBAI: Despite taking several initiatives in the past few years to help students deal with their academic-related stress, the frequency of suicides in IITs across the country seems to have remained unaffected. 

Students on the IIT-Bombay campus have expressed concern over the failure of these initiatives. 

A final year student on the campus said, "It is a real concern for the student community as measures taken by the institute have not really helped much. Everything — getting a good placement, good internships, performance in projects — is co-related to a student's CPI (Cumulative Performance Index). The IIT education system needs an overhaul." 

In September last year, Aniket Ambhore fell to death from the sixth floor of a hostel on campus. While it was not ascertained if it was a suicide, the student was undergoing treatment for depression caused by poor performance in academics. The latest victim, Jitesh Sharma, was also allegedly suffering from depression due to his academics. 

However, IIT-Bombay director Devang Khakhar said, "Less than 20% of the students get the CPI above eight points. A majority of students do not get desirable CPIs but all of them land decent jobs. There are different profiles available for everybody. There cannot be a direct co-relation in this case, but we will try to probe into the matter and see what counselling facilities can be made available." 

Psychiatrists feel there is a need to do more. "There are over 10,000 students but it has only three counselors, when the need is around one counselor for every 700 students. Academic mentors are not trained to identify signs of depression and hence most of these students get to this level," said senior psychiatrist Dr Harish Shetty. 

Suggesting a way to improve the mental health conditions in the institute, Dr Shetty said alumni could invest in infrastructure. 

"Not just IITs but all the engineering institutes in the country lack mental health mechanism. When the alumni can invest in sports infrastructure, why not in building full fledged counseling centres," he said. 

However, a senior official said there was enough infrastructure but not many students approach the counselors. 

"The institute has also taken efforts to set up the counseling centre away from the academic building to encourage more students to come forward," said the official.

314 - IIT-B student commits suicide - The Hindu

MUMBAI, May 4, 2015

IIT-B student commits suicide

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

He was suffering from depression, says IIT spokesman

Jitesh Sharma, a third year chemical engineering student from IIT-Bombay, was found dead on Saturday on a hostel terrace. The police have recovered a suicide note.

“He said in the note that he was frustrated with his studies. We have registered an accidental death report (ADR) and are recording the statements of his parents,” the Powai police told The Hindu.

Jitesh’s body was found between 6.30 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday. “He was frothing at the mouth and a bottle of an aerated drink was found near him. He perhaps consumed something, but we do not know what it was,” an IIT spokesperson said.

The institute said Jitesh was suffering from depression and was struggling to cope with academics. “He wasn’t doing too well academically, but recently his grades were improving, which is why his death comes as a shock. We offered him a lot of support. He was seeking help from the institute’s counselling facility and also was undergoing therapy from a doctor in Delhi. His family was aware of his condition,” the spokesperson said.

The post-mortem examination was done at Mumbai’s Rajawadi hospital. Jitesh’s family intends to take his body for cremation to their hometown in Rohtak, Haryana.

Saturday’s incident comes close on the heels of the death of IIT-B student Aniket Ambhore in September 2014, who fell to his death from the sixth-floor of a hostel.

Keywords: IIT-Bombay student suicide

313 - IIT-Bombay student found dead on campus, suicide note recovered - Hindustan Times

IIT-Bombay student found dead on campus, suicide note recovered

• HT Correspondent, Hindustan Times, Mumbai| Updated: May 04, 2015 15:27 IST

Body of a third-year chemical engineering student was found on IIT-Bombay campus on Saturday evening. 

(HT File Photo)

A third-year chemical engineering student from the Indian Institute of Technology-Bombay (IIT-B) was found dead on campus on Saturday evening.

21-year-old Jitesh Sharma's body was found on the terrace of hostel number 15 while a suicide note was found in his hostel room, an IIT spokesperson said. Students said that he left a note behind and is believed to have consumed something poisonous.

"He has written a suicide note in Hindi and English that shows he was under depression," the investigating officer from Powai police station said.

According to police, Sharma was apparently unhappy with the choice of his academic course, and a suicide note, purportedly written by him and found near his body, indicates he was depressed.

"I should not have been into this field. I did a mistake by passing JE exam. I have now learnt to be away from my parents (sic)," the officer said quoting the suicide note.

A student at the institute said, "While he was active in extra-curricular activities, he was not doing well academically and was under pressure because of this."

Police have registered a case of accidental death. They have spoken to the parents of the deceased and are in the process of investigating further.

This is the second such death on campus in the last year. In September, a fourth-year student, Aniket Ambhore, had committed suicide by jumping from the hostel building.

(With inputs from PTI)

312 - IIT-B student commits suicide on campus allegedly due to depression - First Post

IIT-B student commits suicide on campus allegedly due to depression

May 4, 2015 07:10 IST

Mumbai: A chemical engineering student at IIT, Powai, here allegedly committed suicide, police said on Sunday.

Jitesh Sharma (21), who hails from Haryana, was found dead on the terrace of the institute's hostel last evening by his friends. The suburban Powai police was subsequently informed.

Police reached the spot and sent the body for postmortem this morning.

IIT Bombay. Agencies

A suicide note purportedly written by the student was found near the student's body which indicates that he was depressed, they said.

"Prima facie, the student is suspected to have consumed some poisonous substance, but it can only be ascertained after we get the medical reports," an officer at Powai police station, who is investigating the matter, said.

An accidental death report (ADR) has been registered and further investigation is on into the matter, he said.

"Today being a holiday, we are unable to contact his friends and faculty heads. But as soon as the classes resume, we would try to get details about his academic and social performance," he said.

"He has written a suicide note in Hindi and English that shows he was under depression," the investigating officer said, adding that the student was apparently unhappy with the choice of his academic course.

The suicide note purportedly reads: "I should not have been into this field. I did a mistake by passing JE exam. I have learnt to be away from my parents."

The student's father has been informed about the incident, the officer said.

Jitesh was apparently not doing well in studies and was yet to clear a few subjects of previous semesters, he said as per information gathered from his friends.

PTI

311 - Mumbai Shocker: IIT-Bombay student commits suicide - One India

Mumbai Shocker: IIT-Bombay student commits suicide 

Posted by: Nairita 

Published: Sunday, May 3, 2015, 16:19 [IST]

Mumbai, May 3: A young student of IIT-Bombay allegedly committed suicide. The dead body, who was resident of Rohtak, has been found on the hostel terrace inside the campus of the institution. The student belonged to the faculty of chemical engineering, third year. His parents have been informed. A suicide note has been found near the body of the student. According to his fellow hostel mates, the young boy was not doing well academically. However, he was very active in extra-curricular activities. According to sources, he was involved with the groups who were coordinating in the functioning of the placement cell in the last semester. Mumbai Police have begun investigation. This was the second time in less than a year that another student was found dead inside IIT-Bombay campus. OneIndia News 

Read more at: http://www.oneindia.com/india/mumbai-shocker-iit-bombay-student-commits-suicide-1735612.html

310 - IIT Bombay student commits suicide on campus - India Today

IIT Bombay student commits suicide on campus

IndiaToday.in  New Delhi, May 3, 2015 | UPDATED 17:29 IST

A chemical engineering student at IIT, Powai, here allegedly committed suicide, police said on Sunday.

Jitesh Sharma, 21, who hails from Haryana, was found dead on the terrace of the institute's hostel last evening by his friends. The suburban Powai police was subsequently informed.

Police reached the spot and sent the body for post-mortem this morning.

A suicide note purportedly written by the student was found near the student's body which indicates that he was depressed, they said.

"Prima facie, the student is suspected to have consumed some poisonous substance, but it can only be ascertained after we get the medical reports," an officer at Powai police station, who is investigating the matter, said.

An accidental death report (ADR) has been registered and further investigation is on into the matter, he said.

"Today being a holiday, we are unable to contact his friends and faculty heads. But as soon as the classes resume, we would try to get details about his academic and social performance," he said.

"He has written a suicide note in Hindi and English that shows he was under depression," the investigating officer said, adding that the student was apparently unhappy with the choice of his academic course.

The suicide note purportedly reads: "I should not have been into this field. I did a mistake by passing Joint Entrance exam. I have learnt to be away from my parents."

The student's father has been informed about the incident, the officer said.

Jitesh was apparently not doing well in studies and was yet to clear a few subjects of previous semesters, he said as per information gathered from his friends.

Read more at: http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/suicide-iit-bombay-campus-student-depression/1/433457.html

309 - IIT Bombay student found dead in hostel - TNN

IIT Bombay student found dead in hostel

Vinamrata Borwankar,TNN | May 3, 2015, 10.50 AM IST

MUMBAI: A third year chemical engineering student from IIT Bombay, was found dead on campus on Saturday evening. The body of the student, who was originally from Rohtak, was found on one of the hostel terraces.

Students said that he left a note behind and is believed to have consumed something poisonous. The body was found on the terrace of hostel 15. A student said, "He was active in extra-curricular activities and was coordinating in the functioning of the placement cell in the last semester. He was not doing academically well."

IIT spokesperson said, "Some chemical may be involved but the police is investigating."

This is the second death in less than a year on the campus. In September 2014, Aniket Ambhore, a fourth year student fell to death from the sixth-floor balcony of a hostel on the campus.

308 - Student of IIT Bombay Found Dead in Campus. Case of Suicide, Say Sources - NDTV

Student of IIT Bombay Found Dead in Campus. Case of Suicide, Say Sources

All India | Reported by Nikita Niraj Arora, Edited by Anindita Sanyal | Updated: May 03, 2015 19:22 IST

MUMBAI:  A student of IIT Bombay has been found dead in campus. It was apparently a case of suicide and he has left a note, say sources.

Jitesh Sharma, 21 -- a third year student of chemical engineering -- was suffering from depression and was undergoing counselling at the institute, sources said. 

His body was found on the terrace of a hostel in the campus last evening. The young man, who was from Rohtak, lived in a different hostel.

Preliminary investigations indicted that he had consumed some poisonous substance. A container of sodium azide acid, a highly corrosive substance, was found next to his body.

The suicide note, which was written in Hindi and found in his room, indicated that he was worried about the results of his exams and was apprehensive about not getting a good placement.

"I should not have been into this field. I did a mistake by passing JE exam. I have learnt to be away from my parents," the note read, according to sources.

Jitesh was apparently not doing well in studies and was yet to clear a few subjects from his first year semester exams, sources said.  

He had sat for two exams - one on April 24 and another on April 29 -- repeat exams that he failed to clear in first year. The family was aware he was under stress, said police sources.

An accidental death report has been registered and further investigations are on, the police said.

Story First Published: May 03, 2015 15:20 IST

307 - Sena Wants Bombay High Court and IIT-B Replaced With Mumbai - New Indian Express

Sena Wants Bombay High Court and IIT-B Replaced With Mumbai

By PTI

Published: 21st April 2015 04:53 PM

MUMBAI: After having renamed Bombay as Mumbai during its rule in Maharashtra between 1995-99, Shiv Sena, which is sharing power with BJP in both state and the Centre, is now vehemently pressing for its demand to rename the Bombay High Court.

The saffron party wants the name Bombay dropped and replaced it with Mumbai.

Talking to PTI, Sena MP Arvind Sawant today said he has spoken to Union Law Minister Sadananda Gowda regarding the renaming issue.

"Since the city is now known as Mumbai, we cannot continue to relate the government institutions with the old name," Sawant said, adding, "I will myself demand that all the government institutions like IIT-Bombay should also be addressed with Mumbai in it."

According to the Sena leader, Mumbai derived its name from Goddess Mumbadevi. "However, the name Bombay was coined by the British rulers as they could not pronounce Mumbai," he added.

Opposition Hits Back

The Sena's move has drawn flak from opposition Congress, as it said that the ruling party was deviating from development issues.

"They have lost all focus. Before joining the government, they portrayed themselves as the messiah of farmers and wanted the BJP to stop their suicides and provide them with adequate compensation," Leader of Opposition in Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil said.

"Instead of throwing in their weight over this (renaming) issue, the state needs to do something to stop farmers' suicides and pay compensation to the affected farmers. That should be their focus. Wasting time on such issues is unwarranted at this point of time," Patil said.

Although NCP legislator Jitendra Awhad welcomed Sena's demand, he said the party was seeking to change the name only to win votes in the upcoming municipal polls.

"Sena's demand is not wrong. As the city's name has been changed to Mumbai, every institution which has a name of the metropolis, should be named similarly. You cannot continue with Bombay High court and IIT-Bombay," he said.

"They are desperately trying to gather their votes in the next couple of years as Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections are due. The Sena should also speak for the cause of farmers with the same aggression as they are showing for changing names," Awhad said.

The Bombay High Court was inaugurated on August 14, 1862. The High Court today has three benches at Nagpur, Aurangabad and Goa. Bombay HC is one of a few institutions in Maharashtra that continue to carry the old name of the city.

306 - DPS student commits suicide - Ranchi Express

DPS student commits suicide

Feared to get low marks in IIT exam, a student of DPS Bokaro killed himself on Sunday afternoon. Sourav Kumar (17) a Class 12 student of DPS Bokaro hanged himself fearing over failure to get admission in IIT. The answer sheet for JEE was uploaded on the Internet on Saturday. After observing the answer sheet, Sourav became apprehensive that he could not qualify the exam, police said. Sourav was a resident of Qr No. 2 D – 3-145, his father is operator at BPSCL in Bokaro.

305 - IIT Bombay lifts night ban on Net for PhD students - Indian Express

IIT Bombay lifts night ban on Net for PhD students

According to the institute, the LAN ban was introduced after a student committed suicide in 2005 after being failed in a few courses owing to low attendance, allegedly due to excess use of the Internet.

Written by Mihika Basu | Mumbai | Published on:April 21, 2015 12:00 am

Years after it imposed a ban on local area network (LAN) inside hostels at night, IIT Bombay has now decided to lift the same for PhD students.

Recently, students of IIT Bombay urged the institute authorities to lift the LAN ban inside hostels between 1.30 am to 5.30 am. 

The ban, which was implemented after 2005, was inadvertently lifted for about a year recently and re-introduced last month. Doctorate students argued that the ban was not allowing them to continue their PhD-related work during the night.

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“In a recent meeting of post-graduate students with the director, a PhD student raised the issue and the director announced that PhD students will not face LAN ban. A representation has also been made by students to remove the ban for all of them, which is being looked into,” said Prof U A Yajnik, dean of student affairs, IIT Bombay.

According to the institute, the LAN ban was introduced after a student committed suicide in 2005 after being failed in a few courses owing to low attendance, allegedly due to excess use of the Internet.

“Some of us use the Internet to study at night. Also, there is no ban on use of personal Internet connection. We really hope the authorities give us LAN access at hostels in the night,” said a BTech student.

mihika.basu@expressindia.com

304 - IIT graduate kills family fearing HIV infection, but tests negative - TNN

IIT graduate kills family fearing HIV infection, but tests negative

Amit Bhardwaj & P Naveen, 

TNN | Mar 13, 2015, 01.12AM IST

Refusing to believe his suicide-pact story, police sent his blood samples for tests.The samples tested negative.

BETUL (MP): Fearing that he had contracted HIV, a 39-year-old IITian set his wife and kids ablaze in a car before attempting to kill himself at Betul in Madhya Pradesh on March 4. Now it turns out he doesn't have the virus.

Refusing to believe his suicide-pact story, police sent his blood samples for tests. "We got the reports on Thursday. The samples tested negative," said SHO S K Singh.

"I used to visit Delhi's red light areas. Six months ago, I had an ulcer in my mouth and it became a recurring problem. I got scared and Googled for AIDS symptoms. The results matched my conditions, especially weight loss," Praveen Manwar told TOI. He then went to a lab in Chhatarpur for a blood test. The reports showed he was HIV positive. " I was shattered by the results," he said.

Manwar claimed he then discussed the matter with his wife. "She was sad, fought with me for two days, but then consoled me and said it was okay."

Manwar said the initial plan was to commit suicide alone. "She did not agree to that. She and our younger daughter also showed signs of HIV. She said children cannot be left to fend for themselves."

The family went to Amravati on February 28, where the couple thought of killing the children first and then hanging themselves. "But who would hang the children? None of us could do that. I searched on Google for painless ways for committing suicide/easily available poisons. I could not find a better solution and planned to immolate the family."

Manwar said he drove to Betul on March 4 and with wife Shilpa and daughters, Sharvani, 9, and Praneeti, 2, inside he doused the car with petrol. "I entered the car and rolled it down a gorge. It hit a tree and overturned. I gained conscious after sometime. I came out of a broken window and set the car on fire," he said.

He said his younger daughter screamed and held onto his wife, but he could not muster courage to get into the burning car. "I made four futile suicide attempts before I went to Amrawati and narrated the ordeal to a friend, who advised me to surrender."

Manwar said he loved his family but social stigma prompted him kill his wife and children. "I would not live long. Today or tomorrow, I will also commit suicide."

He did not show any emotion when he was told he was HIV negative. Police have booked him for murder and destruction of evidence.

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

Report suicidal content

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.

Full name of the person who posted the content

As it appears on Facebook

Link (URL) to this person's Profile

Please provide a link to the content you're trying to report so we can investigate. To get a link to the exact content you want to report:

1. Find the content (photo, video, comment, etc) you want to report
2. If this content is on someone's wall or in news feed, click on the date/time it was posted (next to Comment)
3. Copy the URL from your browser's address bar:

Link (URL) to the content

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Optional

Learn how to upload a screenshot

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(Ex: a copy of what was posted, if you can't provide the link)

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.