Himanshu Kashyap, a 24-year-old first-year MBBS student at Government Medical College Korba in Chhattisgarh, was found hanging in his hostel room on Saturday morning. The tragic discovery followed his absence from a scheduled examination. A suicide note reportedly left by him read, “Mujhse nahi ho paya, I am sorry, papa” (I couldn’t do it, I am sorry, papa), illustrating his emotional distress over academic pressures.
Himanshu had failed his 2024 first-year exams and was preparing to reappear. The police have registered an accidental death report and investigations are ongoing. College authorities and police urge greater mental health awareness among students facing academic stress.
Academic Pressure and Emotional Struggle
The grim incident unfolded after Himanshu’s classmates grew worried due to his absence during the morning exam. Upon trying to reach him, they found his hostel room locked and unresponsive. After breaking the door, they found Himanshu hanging. Police Superintendent Bhushan Ekka confirmed the discovery and said that a suicide note matching the contents of the reported message was found at the scene.
Dr KK Sahare, the college dean, shed light on Himanshu’s ongoing academic challenges, stating that the student had failed the previous year’s exams and was under severe pressure to succeed in the current session. The note, conveying apology and despair, highlights the mental toll such pressure can take on students pursuing demanding medical education.
Context, Mental Health Concerns, and Institutional Response
Himanshu’s death is a stark reminder of the heavy emotional and mental burdens placed on medical students. The demanding nature of medical studies, combined with the stigma around failure, can push students towards extreme distress. Following this tragedy, the Civil Lines police have registered the case as an accidental death, with formal investigations underway.
The college administration has called for increased vigilance among faculty and parents to identify early signs of psychological distress. Mental health support helplines and counselling services have been recommended by officials to help students combat depression and anxiety linked to academic challenges.
This incident has also sparked discussions on the need for systemic changes within educational institutions to prioritise mental well-being alongside academic performance.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
This heartbreaking loss is more than a statistic-it is a call to action for society to rethink the way academic pressure is managed and mental health is supported among youth. The Logical Indian mourns Himanshu’s untimely death and calls for cultivating an environment rooted in empathy, kindness, and open dialogue. It is vital that families, educators, and communities work together to dismantle the stigma associated with mental health struggles and academic setbacks.
By nurturing safe and supportive spaces for young individuals to express vulnerability without fear, society can foster a culture that values emotional resilience alongside scholastic success. This tragic event should inspire conversations about structural reforms in educational systems and prompt collective efforts to shield students from undue stress.
