‘There is no force more powerful than a woman determined to rise’ W.E.B. Dubois. IE reports that the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT ) Kharagpur’s proposal to launch a ‘Campus Mothers’ initiative is a welcome step.
Appointing female mentors from the women residing on the campus, both faculty & non faculty, to provide informal support to students – presents as a compassionate intervention .
It is in leu of the events occurring around in the educational institutes. Unrelenting academic culture, the isolation of hyper competitive environments & a system fueled with ambition that has little room for outliers – the mental health crisis has become a tragic thread in a widening pattern of student distress.
Not just academic but otherwise also we observe students becoming rough, rude & restless. They are more for the marks or grade than the bonds between family & friends.
IIT Kharagpur’ s proposal is part of the growing acknowledgement within the elite institutions that the student wellbeing can no longer be treated as an afterthought . In 2025, Kharagpur has reported three student suicides.
In May, a 10 member committee was set up for a detailed intervention plan, efforts are underway to introduce AI based support tools ; and move to ease attendance norms & reduce academic pressure have shown early promise.
By designating women only, putting more pressure on the women on campus, who are already balancing their own personal & professional challenges. It also reduces , complex emotional labor to a functional gender.
It is but a first step towards addressing the problem within the society. What needs to be done is following the leader. If more such groups are assigned, more relief can be rendered to the needy.
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