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Key Points

IIT Kharagpur is mourning the sudden death of fourth-year student Ritam Mondal, who was found unresponsive in his hostel room. The institute has launched an investigation and is cooperating with authorities while providing support to his family. No prior signs of distress were detected, prompting the administration to reinforce mental health initiatives. A new AI-based wellness program, SETU, will soon be introduced to enhance student well-being.

Key Points: IIT Kharagpur Mourns Death of Student Ritam Mondal

  • Ritam Mondal found deceased in hostel room
  • No prior mental health concerns noted
  • Institute forms fact-finding committee
  • New AI-driven wellness program SETU launching soon
2 min read

IIT Kharagpur mourns untimely demise of student Ritam Mondal

IIT Kharagpur grieves the tragic loss of Ritam Mondal, a fourth-year mechanical engineering student, as the institute pledges enhanced mental health support.

"The institute is bringing up a holistic intervention program to ensure such an incident never occurs again. – IIT Kharagpur Director"

Kharagpur, July 18

Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur expressed deep sorrow over the untimely demise of Ritam Mondal, a fourth-year undergraduate student of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, on Friday.

According to the release, Mondal was found deceased in his room at Rajendra Prasad Hall of Residence on the morning of July 18. Upon receiving the information, the Institute's security response team acted swiftly and reached the hostel premises. Then, the Institute's medical team, the Director, senior administrative officials, and local police authorities arrived. Immediate communication was also made with Mondal's family.

Having recently returned to campus after the long summer vacation, Mondal had resumed his classes. According to the records reviewed from the Institute's SARTH Counselling Centre, there were no prior indications of mental health concerns. The faculty advisor from the department also mentioned that there were no apparent academic and non-academic issues that caught their attention.

The administration has initiated the process of filing an FIR and taking the necessary action as per the law. The police have launched an investigation into the incident, and the institute is providing full cooperation to facilitate the process. Additionally, the institute has constituted a fact-finding committee to examine the incident further and report the findings at the earliest.

On the unfortunate death of student, the Director of IIT Kharagpur, while expressing extreme distress as a parent-like individual at this shocking incident, reiterated that the institute is already in the process of bringing up a holistic intervention program combining cutting-edge Technology, super-specialized expert support, highly personalized interaction for the well-being of all students, with a mission of ensuring that such an incident never occurs again.

The entire community at IIT Kharagpur is profoundly saddened by this tragic loss. Mondal was distinguished by his academic commitment and gentle disposition. The institute extends its sincere condolences to the bereaved family and friends, and reaffirms its dedication to providing support during this challenging period.

As part of its continued efforts to support student well-being, the institute confirms the availability of dedicated mental health and counselling services around the clock.

Furthermore, IIT Kharagpur is set to launch a new AI-driven mental wellness initiative, SETU, on July 25 to enhance proactive mental health support for students.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rahul R
Very tragic news. My deepest condolences to Ritam's family. IITs need to stop pretending everything is fine when students are clearly struggling. The "no prior indications" line is worrying - are they really checking properly? Mental health should be priority number one.
A
Arjun K
As someone who lost a friend to suicide in college, this hits too close to home. The AI initiative sounds good, but nothing can replace human connection. Faculty should be trained to spot warning signs better. Rest in peace Ritam, the system failed you.
S
Sarah B
While the new SETU program is commendable, why wait until July 25? Immediate action is needed. There should be mandatory mental health check-ups for all students, especially after long breaks. My heart goes out to Ritam's family during this unimaginable time.
V
Vikram M
This is so sad. IITs need to understand that academic excellence shouldn't come at the cost of students' lives. The pressure cooker environment needs to change. Om Shanti 🙏
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Nisha Z
As a parent, this terrifies me. We push our kids so hard to get into IITs, but at what cost? Institutions must provide better support systems. My deepest sympathies to Ritam's family. May God give them strength.
K
Karthik V

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