The tragic death of a 20-year-old Nepali engineering student at a university in Odisha has left her peers in shock. The young woman was reportedly subjected to harassment by a classmate, an issue she had raised with the university administration prior to her death. Friends and fellow students have expressed their anger over the university’s lack of action to address the harassment, claiming that the victim was left to cope with the situation alone.
This case has brought to light the challenges faced by international students in navigating the academic and social landscapes of foreign universities. Harassment, especially when compounded by feelings of isolation, can have devastating effects on a student’s mental health. The failure of the university to act on the victim’s complaints raises serious concerns about the institution’s handling of harassment and the mental health needs of its students.
Many students are calling for stronger policies and more immediate intervention when harassment is reported. There is also a growing demand for universities to offer better mental health services and create a more supportive environment for students, particularly those from other countries who may be more vulnerable to bullying and exclusion.
