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| Kota: Fans Covered with Iron Grills to Prevent Suicides |
Kota’s Disturbing Reality? Viral Video Shows Fans Covered with Iron Grills to Prevent Suicides
Kota, Rajasthan – A viral video from Kota, India's coaching capital, has once again exposed the dark side of the city's intense academic pressure. The video shows ceiling fans in a hostel room covered with iron grills – a heart breaking measure taken to prevent students from dying by suicide.
Kota is known for preparing lakhs of students for IIT-JEE and NEET exams every year. But behind the success stories, there is a growing crisis of depression, anxiety, and student suicides. This video has sparked a fresh debate on whether coaching institutes and hostels are doing enough to protect young lives.
What Does the Viral Video Show?
The short clip, filmed inside a private hostel room in Kota, clearly shows:
- A ceiling fan completely covered with a cage-like iron grill.
- The grill is tightly fixed to the ceiling, making it impossible for anyone to use the fan for suicide.
- The room otherwise looks like a typical student room – books, study table, and a bed.
The video was first posted on social media by a former Kota student. Within hours, it was shared thousands of times. Many users called it a "shocking reality" of the city. Others said it is a "necessary safety measure" in today's time.
One user commented: "Instead of fixing the system, they are fixing the fans. This is not a solution. This is a failure."
Why Is This Happening in Kota?
Kota sees dozens of student suicides every year. According to official data:
- In 2025, over 25 students died by suicide in Kota.
- In the last five years, the number has crossed 120.
- Most victims are between 15 and 20 years old.
The main reasons behind this crisis include:
- Extreme academic pressure – Students are expected to crack competitive exams at any cost.
- Long hours of study – Many study 12–14 hours a day with almost no break.
- Away from family – Young children live alone in hostels or paying guest accommodations.
- Fear of failure – Parents spend lakhs of rupees, and students feel they cannot afford to fail.
- Lack of emotional support – Hostels have strict rules but no counselors.
What Do Coaching Institutes Say?
Coaching institutes in Kota have denied that the iron grill on fans is a common practice. A spokesperson for a major coaching institute said:
"We do not recommend or support such measures. However, some hostel owners may take these steps on their own. We focus on mental health support through helplines and counselors."
But many students and parents disagree. They say that pressure from both institutes and parents leaves students with no escape. A father who lost his son in Kota last year told a news channel:
"My son called me every day. He never told me he was sad. He was scared of disappointing us. By the time we understood, it was too late."
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What Needs to Change?
Mental health experts and education activists have been demanding action for years. Here are some important suggestions:
- Limit study hours – Coaching centers should not hold classes for more than 6-8 hours a day.
- Mandatory counselors – Every hostel should have a full-time trained counselor.
- Parental awareness – Parents must be educated about signs of depression in teenagers.
- Regular check-ins – Institutes should talk to students privately every week.
- Safe environment – Instead of grills on fans, there should be open conversations about failure and pressure.
Conclusion: A Wake-Up Call for Everyone
The viral video of fans covered with iron grills is not just a photo. It is a symbol of a broken system. Kota produces top rankers every year. But it also produces silent tears, lonely nights, and heart breaking headlines.
Putting grills on fans may stop one method of suicide. But it does not stop the pain. Only love, listening, and less pressure can do that.
If you are a student in Kota or anywhere else and feel hopeless, please talk to someone. There is no shame in asking for help.
Helpline: 9888-33-4426 (Kota Student Helpline)
National Helpline: 982-046-6726 (iCall)
