Disclaimer: The following article may contain words and themes that are emotionally sensitive and can be triggering. Please read with caution. This material is for awareness purposes only.
Sri Venkateshwara College welcomed over 70 students impacted by the Satya Niketan Building Collapse near Delhi University’s south campus. The College principal stayed with the students while food, shelter and psychological aid were made available to them. A majority of those affected by this tragedy are non-residential students who lived around the collapsed structure. Professor Vajala Ravi was one of the first to welcome students from different colleges who were impacted by the Satya Niketan building collapse. The college administration building was converted into a temporary dormitory since the hostel only has 150 beds. Students were told that they could stay for as long as they wanted with access to medical aid, food, water and counselling services. Venkateshwara College’s hostel students also pitched in to help their peers, highlighting the active role empathy plays in times of tragedy.
The Aftermath of Tragedy
The impact of a tragedy often comes with long-term consequences for those who are directly affected as well as those who are secondary victims of the incident. The Satya Niketan building collapse has already left fear and hopelessness in its wake. This further triggers anxiety, panic, renewed fear and the irreplaceable loss of home. This could also cause a shutdown in normal functioning that impairs sleep and diet. Satya Niketan is a hub for non-resident students who come to pursue higher studies in Delhi. This incident may instigate fear in conservative parents who do not support their children moving away from home.
Mental Health Challenges
One of the biggest outcomes of a tragedy is isolation and loneliness. The factor of secondary stress, which is common in people who have indirectly witnessed an emergency, also links directly to causing loneliness and fear. This will further trigger PTSD, depression, anxiety, physical and mental fatigue, along with acute stress reactions. In situations like the Satya Niketan building collapse, students who are away from the comfort of their families may be overcome by an overwhelming sense of separation. The severity could vary among students according to their mental and psychological strengths, which are different for all.
The Importance of Empathy
In tragic circumstances like the HostelDaze PG collapse in Satya Niketan, students and educators joining hands to support victims empowers resilience and faith. Research shows that an act of kindness in emergency situations improves health, reduces sadness and encourages victims to remain hopeful. Community support and care can decrease feelings of isolation, helplessness and loneliness, with a consequential positive impact on the affected students.
The Kindness Effect
Studies have shown repeatedly that acts of kindness can uplift and strengthen individuals who are experiencing challenging situations. It will remove the feeling of loneliness and isolation in many affected students and encourage them to keep the faith. Acts like free medical care, food, water and psychological aid restore their belief in community outreach. It will also encourage many to repeat such acts of kindness when they encounter individuals in need of help in the future.
The Larger Question
The legal and environmental frameworks of housing and accommodation have to be investigated in a thorough manner that allows no room for lapses. The state government and local authorities have to audit existing safeguards and implement sustainable solutions. The dearth of on-campus accommodations has to be addressed, keeping in mind the issue of further construction in already crowded areas like Satya Niketan in Delhi. This also puts an onus on the Central Government to acknowledge and audit the facilities required to house students migrating from various cities in India for education. As the climate crisis surges, it also requires environmental awareness while developing student-centric cities for higher education.
Conclusion
A community that sticks together, grows together, and Venkateshwara College is putting this saying into practice. This highlights the importance of educational institutions acting as guardians to students in times of dire need. It also highlights the role institutions play in times of unexpected catastrophes. Such acts of kindness empower and strengthen students to stand up for each other and uplift mental and physiological health conditions in challenging times.
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