Rajasthan: Technical solution to social problem; hostels in Kota to install spring-loaded fans

The Kota administration has mandated PG accommodations and hostels across the city to replace their fans with an alternative model that incorporates spring technology. The spring technology ensures that in case of an overload in weight, the fan is naturally brought down and hence the pressure around the neck would reduce. It also consists of sensors which would alert the authorities concerned about the suicide attempt. 

“To provide mental support and security to the students studying/living in them and to prevent suicides from increasing among coaching students in Kota city, all hostel/PG operators in the state are directed to install a security spring device in the fans at every room, as discussed in Saturday’s meeting,” the order from the District Collector Om Prakash Bunkar on August 17th stated. 

Additionally the order also advised educational institutes to ensure that weekly offs are provided to students, limit the class strength to below 80 so that individual attention is given to each student and to also keep the mental health of students and teachers in constant check throughout the academic year. 

In August alone, Kota has witnessed 4 student suicides. The city has already recorded 22 such instances in the past year. This has been the highest in 8 years.