Sunday, March 22, 2009

Death of an IITian

Update: New Dean of Student Affairs and Chairman of B.C.Roy Technology Hospital appointed at IIT-Kgp.

I'm publishing this from a small cyber-cafe outside the IIT-campus, since the internet/LAN has been completely shut down in the campus, which you can further read why?

Rohit Kumar, a 3rd year undergraduate student of Electrical Engineering at IIT Kharagpur died this morning due to lack of basic medical facilities at B.C. Roy "Hospital", the civic IIT-run hospital responsible for providing healthcare facilities to IIT-Kharagpur campus residents, which includes students, faculty members, staff and other employees.

Rohit complained of a headache on Saturday evening after a basketball match. He visited B.C.Roy Hospital, no confirmation of the occurrence there is available. During the course of the night his condition worsened and the next morning he again visited the hospital with excruciating pain. He was asked to go back after being prescribed painkillers. While going back to his Hostel, he collapsed and hit his head on the cowtrap. He was rushed back to the hospital, where he was told to wait for the Doctor to arrive in "five minutes". After three hours of "five minutes", the Doctor arrived but refused to touch him. He was referred to Apollo Hospital, Kolkata since he required treatment by a neurologist. He was sent in an ambulance also containing, besides the driver, a pharmacist and two of his friends, but no trained paramedic. Considering the profuse bleeding and worsening condition, they decided to go for Medinipur Hospital instead. He was declared 'brought dead' at Medinipur Hospital.

B.C.Roy has had a history of medical negligence, with several serious medical blunders taking place frequently, and any critical case being needed to rushed as far as Kolkata, despite the administration's claim of developing it into a "Multi-speciality medical research centre", whereas, ironically, not a single paisa has been spent in this regard. No other medical facility is available on the 2100 acre campus, while the strength of students and need for medical care is growing multi-fold every year.

Earlier, the campus newspaper, Scholar's Avenue, had been "banned" for 6 months for publishing an investigative report on the sorry state of the hospital.

Outraged students assembled outside the Director's bungalow aiming for a silent protest. However, the Director refused to attend to the students, not ready to acknowledge the problem with IIT-Kgp's medical facilities. In addition to this he was ignorant of the details of the whole incident. This lead to greater outrage and more than 2000 students gheraoed the residence.

Finally making an appearance on the balcony of the residence he expressed his SYMPATHY and appreciated that we had all gathered for the cause but promised no action. It was demanded that he answer the questions put up by the protesting students. He eventually came out with security where he made blunt promises like suspending the doctor and registering a police case against the "CULPRIT" making it evident that he was trying to laugh off the matter. This caused further unrest after which he slunk away into his house. Exasperated students aggressively demanded the director's resignation since the life of every student is his responsibility and he has not addressed to the much obvious problem even after it has been blatantly pointed out to him many a times in open house discussions with students earlier, as recent as one month ago.

What is even more amusing are the loose comments that the authorities repeatedly made - the Deputy Director said "Whats the big deal..."

Rohit's memory will forever remain embedded in our hearts. May his soul rest in peace...

For further info, please visit IIT Kgp's campus newspaper. Also see updates on the health of another victim, Gaurav Tomar, currently in ICU.

37 comments:

Anonymous said...

May Rohith;s soul rest in peace.
We wont let this tragedy repeat.

Anonymous said...

I feel really sorry for the Deputy Director. What a mess he is?

"people die everyday?" what a cliche.
I think he does not love his wife or children. How can he be so dead?

He is the devil personified.

Anonymous said...

I feel really sorry for the Deputy Director. What a mess he is?

"people die everyday?" what a cliche.
I think he does not love his wife or children. How can he be so dead?

He is the devil personified.

Rishabh Bindal said...

A shame on the numero uno engg coll of india....

Anonymous said...

Well done Shrey, certainly the news media should first refer to this, before brandishing the wonderful picture of a smashed window that was the consequence of the act of a tv reporter himself, trying to 'portray' the 'hooliganism' of IIT students over a 'a not-so-big-deal' issue!!!

amazing!!

Unknown said...

Its very shocking that india's best institute has recruited such unworthy heartless directors....
How could the TOPMOST PRIORITY - Health n Safety of the students be neglected n that too in one of the most reputed institutes of ASIA????????

Unknown said...

I feel sorry for Rohit n his parents.....
May GOD rest his soul in peace....
and give his parents the strength to face this....

Anonymous said...

Spread the word in all IITS

BADAL said...

Many National Dailies are spreading the word that Rohit got injured in a Basketball match. This is untrue since I personally played that game with Rohit and he was hale and hearty after that. We even went to dine outside. This is the second time the institute has spread a cover story to save their ass but we are not gonna let that happen. If any of you have any good contacts in the print media, esp the national dailies who would be willing to take our statement; please contact me or Shrey.

Kaber Vasuki said...

If IIT-Karg is so under equiped, imagine other colleges/universities across the country. The attitude that these administrators show towards students is not just limited to protests or to this issue. It is a "I am a teacher, I command and you obey" sort of mentality that prevades the entire country. Banning a college newspaper and saying that they'll take action is not enough. Mental authorities. But are you sure everything you are saying is unbiased and true Shrey?

Anonymous said...

May Rohith's soul rest in peace.

I am from IITB, the state of hospital here is also the same.

Its shame that the institutes lack such basic infrastructure.

Anonymous said...

Rightly pointed out by Kaber Vasuki.
Authorities of IITs have been working like dictators, anything they decide holds, banning whatever they want, making rules without a smallest consent of students, when comes to facilities even the basic facilities like proper medical care lacks.

Anonymous said...

juz imagine the state of other engineering colleges if a premier institute like iit is in this state...may rohith rest in peace..

Anonymous said...

It is so unfortunate that something like this has happened! It is an irony that an institute which is supposed to be leading the frontiers of technology lacks "basic technology" such as a good health care system. I hope this incident is a big eye opener to the concerned authorities to take immediate requisite action! Thanks for informing us through your blog, you have all our support!

Anonymous said...

I feel sorry for those Parents whose son made them proud by getting enrolled in one of the top institutes in INDIA...

Shame on the authorities who can not preserve and take care of these gems of our country who are eventually going to serve this Very land......

R.I.P. in peace bro.....and I hope this doesnt happen agian.....

Anonymous said...

Well, good that thru our beloved Rohit's death some drastic action on the issue of public health at IITKGP wiil emerge soon! We all work in crisis! May Rohit's name be remembered for this much needed turning point! He gave his life for all the IITians to wake up for the good health of one and all!

Anonymous said...

Well, good that thru our beloved Rohit's death some drastic action on the issue of public health at IITKGP wiil emerge soon! We all work in crisis! May Rohit's name be remembered for this much needed turning point! He gave his life for all the IITians to wake up for the good health of one and all!

Ninad said...

My deepest condolences to Rohit’s family.May his soul rest in peace.
It's ridiculous that authorities didn't took any action albeit they were aware of condition of facilities in hospital I think not only diro but institute administration is responsible for this.The general attitude of administration towards students needs is not much encouraging across IIT's.
It's good that KGP guys have stood up against this.

Unknown said...

same on that doctor and i cnt believe that it happened really if this will happen cn iitian consider themselves safe
shashank
iit punjab

Unknown said...

May Rohit's soul rest in peace.
The Gandhigiri trend is outdated.
Some serious concerns are requiered to avoid such incidents

Anonymous said...

Its really sad to come across a news like this.I feel extremly sorry for Rohit..Parents put so much of faith in managment of such esteemed institutes but its disgusting to put forth such negligence and indifference both on part of medical personnel and director..May rohit's soul rest in peace and may god give strength to his family and friends to bear this loss..

M&M said...

We all know how authorities treat students like shit. I am an alumni of IIT Roorkee. This is the time we should make a case for them. We all say this for politicians who are public servants. so is the director. and the deans.

revolution begins at home. make them realize that they cant do this to us. if this is the state in an iit, why should it be any better in any public hospital? nothing less than diro's resignation and a police complaint against iit authorities ( which can be done by students union on behalf of students).

at least the 4th yr who is about to pass in two months can do it. they have least to loose. or better encourage his parents and family to do so.

i know iit students dot make a fuss over issues with authorities because there is too much at stake. profs can screw us easily. now is the time and opportunity to set an example.

Anonymous said...

As this is not only the problem of IITs, it has to be revaluated by every student from all the corners of India in the name of Rohit so that other may not face the fate of Rohit.

Anonymous said...

I m very sorry to listen our director and DD who were saying "people die everyday?". He should speak a responsible statement. You people (IIT KGP student) did very well on Sunday. All such kind of person must resign!

Anonymous said...

it does make feel sad to hear such a heart touching incident. but why is it now that we all are so concerned over the medical facilities at government institutions. it could been taken to the media earlier. but all iitian are busy saving their college's image. had they learnt whats more important: image or their life. & dont ever give us the reason that profs could have smacked u if had done this before. at the end of the day you had to go against them.

Anonymous said...

IIT's is where the India's top brains join......... and one of them dies and mean director says " Whats the big deal"
what a mess ...........
may rohit's soul rest in peace

Werewolfish said...

May God rest his soul. I am from KGP and had the good fortune of never spending a day there on account of any illness. I did spend 7 days there with a friend though. Gave me the shivers!

astronautameya said...

No college in the world deserves such administrative lapses, and esp not kgp....

Anonymous said...

when we heard abt rohit
it wz shocking
yes i know that ur hospital z a torterous place 4u ppl
i know that how n wht my son hz xperienced...
MAY ROHIT'SOUL REST IN PEACE
Dr.meeta krishna

Shiv said...

May Rohit's soul rest in peace. I hope his death is not forgotten and some changes are brought about.

Anonymous said...

The response of the authorities is criminal and disgusting ,shocking and pathetic...if they have any conscience thy should quit and get the hell out and give the reigns to more humane and responsible people. My sympathy to the parents of Rohit and to all his friends. Wish and pray something positive comes out of all the struggle the kids are going through.

Anonymous said...

I 'm very sorry and express compassion for all.

Anonymous said...

i express sorrow over this unfortunate incident...
wat u ppl can do is write a petition to the HRD requesting him to take strict action over this matter of negligence...ask him to appoint a new diro n improve the medical facilities...this matter should nt go unnoticed...

ranjan said...

may god give all the strength to his parents to live.

Anonymous said...

I don't know what to say ... Rohit was one of my friends when we were in kota... The condition here in IIT Kanpur is also the same.. some days ago a laborer's kid died becoz of their negligence. I am so angry on these people. How come prestigious and well fed institutions by the government cant afford better medical facilities. These people in IIT's somehow get to the top of the administration and then do corruption. Look at IITK director's property of 35 lakhs in Australia!!!!! I don't know why but the external agencies like CBI and police don't interfere and investigate such corrupt matters. IITs are no more the best institutions of India but they should now be entitled with the "the most dangerous" colleges of India where students die at a rate much greater than all other colleges of India combined. I have seen 6 suicides in IITK in 5 semesters!!!!!

Ayush Gupta said...

This is a sad news indeed, and outrageous.

But not surprising. The BCRoy hospital has been a joke for as long as I can remember. The only purpose it served was to get doctor's signature if you missed a class or exam. When we did need medicine we would go outside campus.

I am glad that students are taking action.

- 2000 Alumni

Anonymous said...

IIT Kharagpur Director Damaodar Acharya is same as DGP Rathore - surely Damodat Acharya will also get a gold medal from Tata Steel.