In a 1st , Baghpat installs anti-suicide fan rods in schools

Meerut: Ahead of the board examination season, the Baghpat district administration has launched a student safety initiative, becoming the "first district in the state" to install anti-suicide fan rods across all govt residential schools, amid concerns over heightened academic stress during exams. The fan rods are fitted with a spring-loaded safety mechanism calibrated to activate under a weight of 22-25 kg. If triggered, the rod separates into two parts, preventing the force required for self-harm and lowering the person safely.District magistrate Asmita Lal said, "250 anti-suicide fan rods have been installed in hostel rooms and dormitories of three govt residential schools, which together house around 700 students. The objective is to prevent students from taking extreme steps under exam pressure or fear of poor performance."Citing NCRB data, Lal said nearly 60% of suicides involve hanging. "Exam-related pressure can be intense. This is a preventive measure," she added, noting that Baghpat records at least one such death every year during the examination season.Maneesh Kumar Yadav, sub-divisional magistrate and a member of the project team, said the initiative was informed by personal experience. "I studied in a govt residential school and understand the emotional challenges of living away from family at a young age. Academic pressure can overwhelm children. While fan rods are one step, a broader support system is essential and the district is working towards that," he said.The DM said the administration is also focusing on mental health awareness. "On Tuesday, a psychological first aid workshop was conducted at a school in Baraut for board exam students, involving parents and teachers. Students were taught stress-management and calming techniques, parents were sensitised to recognise early signs of distress and teachers were trained to respond empathetically and foster a supportive classroom environment," she added.As per the 2023 NCRB data, released in late 2025, India recorded 171,418 suicides, including 13,892 student suicides, up from 13,044 in 2022.