COVID-19 Crisis: Students Stranded In Kota Oscillate Between Hope & Despair

Kota: After the BJP-led UP government sent 250 buses to rescue around 7000 students stranded in Kota amidst nationwide lockdown due to novel Coronavirus crisis, the hopes are rekindled in many, and so has the despair.

While steps being taken by the Yogi Adityanath government are commendable, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has raised objection over this move. This step, he said, would defeat the purpose of lockdown at the time when social distancing is crucial to stop any further spread of the virus.

While the UP government continues to ferry its students out of the city, others belonging to different regions sit in hope for a similar move by their respective states.

Much like the distressed migrant workers stuck at multiple places across the country, students in Kota are plunged into a state of despair and loneliness. With entrance examinations like JEE Mains for engineering, NEET for medical and 12th Board exams suspended indefinitely, they have no coaching classes to attend.

Cramped up in their rooms with no food security, the times are tough for these students to pull through their days with anxious parents back home, calling and checking up on them every hour or so.

In a report by ET which talked to students stuck in Kota, they were quoted as saying, “We feel anxious, stressed and lonely due to no coaching, uncertain exam dates, limited availability of food and restricted interaction with other students. We did not anticipate the financial burden of staying here in Kota any further than the exams.”

While those belonging to Uttar Pradesh will eventually reach their home with the state aid, many live with hope to make it out of this place soon.