Now, Helpline 103 will also aid students

Mumbai: Concerned over the spate of suicides by students, home minister RR Patil on Monday announced that the 103 helpline number for women will also provide assistance to students from Tuesday.Presenting a data gathered by the home department on the issue, Patil informed the legislative council that the state registered 446 students’ suicides in 2009. Out of that, 46% were due to education pressure, 8.9% due to pressure from parents, 8.30% due to failed love affairs and 8.52% due to illness.

“The helpline 103 will be available for all students below the age of 21,” Patil said. “It will start in Mumbai from Tuesday and we will try to start it in other cities as soon as possible. Police personnel will help students with emotional or any other problems they may be facing. If needed, help will reach students within 10 minutes.”

Patil said there was need to reduce competition in the education system and henceforth only education experts would be appointed on the syllabus committee. “Nobody will be appointed on the committee because of recommendation by influential people,” he said.Awareness should also be created among students and parents, he said.