BTech Topper Dies by Suicide After Struggling to Find a Job

The death of 23-year-old Anand Kumar is a tragedy that strikes deep and is a heartbreaking reminder of the immense, often unseen pressures placed on young people. Anand was a brilliant mind, a gold medallist in electrical engineering, graduating in 2024 and ranking third in the state of Uttar Pradesh. But behind these accomplishments was a young man trapped under the crushing weight of a relentless cycle.

A final message that breaks your heart

Anand’s story ended in a rented house in Kanpur with him being alone while his family had gone to Bihar for his brother’s upcoming wedding. The note he left behind is haunting in its simplicity: 'Sorry, Papa, I tried nearly 50 times to get a government job, but I couldn't succeed. Forgive me, please. ”*

His repeated apologies, writing “sorry” seven or eight times, show a young man who felt he had let down the people he loved most, despite having worked harder than anyone could reasonably expect. He wasn't just another statistic in the unemployment crisis; he was a son who felt his worth was tied to a job he simply could not land, no matter how hard he tried.

The Burden of “Failure”

Dedication was Anand’s life. After his graduation, he spent a year with Power Grid before he plunged into the tough process of competitive examinations. He applied for jobs in the railways, SSC, banks and education department. Anand internalised each rejection as a personal defeat, rather than a systemic hurdle.

For the past several months he had been living with a stress level that had finally reached the breaking point. His father, a retired employee, now carries a grief that cannot be put into words, a father who was preparing for a joyous family wedding only to return to the loss of his son.

 A Tragedy of the System

Anand’s death is a mirror held up to a society that often equates a “stable government job” with a successful life, ignoring the mental health toll that this pursuit takes on the country’s youth. It’s a reminder that we’re failing our brightest minds when they get to a point where they feel the only way to say sorry for not meeting society’s benchmarks is to end their own lives.

His story is a call for us to change how we measure success and how we support those who feel they have run out of options. Anand’s life was about so much more than a score on an exam or a job title, and his loss is a terrible blow for all who knew him.

Remember, if you or someone you know is feeling overwhelmed, you don't have to carry the weight alone. There’s always someone to speak to.

Kiran (National Mental Health Helpline): 1800-599-0019
104 Arogya Sahayavani
Vandrevala Foundation 9999666555
Tele-MANAS: 14416 or 1-800-89-14416.

You are worth more than any career or test score. If you are struggling, please reach out.

Given the immense pressure that is placed on students and job seekers, do you feel that enough is being done within our communities to address the dangers of this ‘competitive’ culture?