~ Pioneering program introduces
sweeping changes across housing, safety, and student support
~ 4,000 hostels unite in
unprecedented move to slash student living costs; security deposits abolished
~ City deploys high-tech safety
network: biometric systems, CCTV surveillance, and 24x7 emergency response;
free access to recreation zones
National, February 24, 2025: The Kota District
Administration today announced a comprehensive set of reforms under its 'Kota
Cares' initiative, marking a significant transformation in how India's premier
coaching hub approaches student welfare. The reforms, developed through extensive
stakeholder consultations, introduce sweeping changes across student housing,
safety protocols, and support systems, setting new benchmarks for educational
cities nationwide.
Kota Cares, launched in December 2024, represents a
paradigm shift in student support, moving beyond academic excellence to create
a holistic ecosystem of care. The initiative brings together the district
administration, coaching institutes, hostel associations, and local communities
in a coordinated effort to enhance student well-being.
“Kota Cares is about reimagining how we support the
lakhs of students who come to our city chasing their dreams,” said District
Collector Dr. Ravindra Goswami. “Through these comprehensive reforms, we're
creating a support system that addresses every aspect of student life - from
affordable housing to mental health support to recreational needs. This is
about transforming Kota into a city that cares for its students as much as it
coaches them.”
The reforms, developed through collaboration
between the District Administration and various stakeholders, include multiple
first-of-its-kind collective initiatives:
Housing and Financial Support:
- Elimination
of security and caution deposits across 4,000 hostels
- Standardization
of maintenance charges with a ₹2,000 annual cap
- Transparent
payment systems with mandatory receipts for all transactions
- Clear
guidelines for room changes and vacation policies
Safety and Security Measures:
- Mandatory
gatekeeper training for all hostel staff
- Installation
of modern safety infrastructure including CCTV and biometric systems
- Special
provisions for women's hostels including female wardens
- Compulsory
Anti-Hanging Device certificates and Fire NOCs
- Regular
night attendance through personal room visits
Student Well-being Initiatives:
- Free
access to Chambal Riverfront and Oxygen Zones
- Dedicated
recreation areas in all hostels
- Mid-term
vacation food services
- Emergency
medical services
Support Infrastructure:
- Kota
Cares help desks at railway stations and bus stands
- City-wide
network of student support centers
- Coordinated
response system for student assistance
Speaking on behalf of the city's hostel
associations, leaders Vishwanath Sharma, Sunil Agarwal, and Naveen Mittal
stated, “These reforms reflect our collective commitment to student welfare.
We're not just providing accommodation; we're creating homes away from home
where students can thrive. Every measure being implemented under Kota Cares has
been designed with student well-being at its core.”
The initiative builds on Kota's position as India's
leading coaching hub, where over 1.25 lakh students pursue their dreams
annually. The reforms acknowledge the unique pressures faced by these students
and create a comprehensive support system to address them.
Implementation of these reforms has already begun,
with hostel associations taking the lead in adopting the new guidelines. The
District Administration has established a monitoring mechanism to ensure
compliance and gather feedback for continuous improvement.
This transformation under Kota Cares represents a
significant step forward in educational ecosystem reform, potentially serving
as a model for other educational hubs across India.
For more information or interview requests for the
District Collector, please contact:
Vishwanath Sharma – 70730-91100; Naveen Mittal – 94134-43223
About Kota Cares by the Kota District
Administration
Launched in December 2024, Kota Cares is a
pioneering initiative by the Kota District Administration that brings together
all stakeholders in the educational ecosystem to create a more supportive and
nurturing environment for students. The program brings together an
unprecedented coalition of stakeholders, including local police, government
departments, educators, hostel owners, shopkeepers, autorickshaw drivers,
students, and their parents, to create a nurturing environment for students.
The initiative rests on three pillars: community engagement, enhanced support
systems, and cultural transformation, working together to ensure student
success and well-being.