KIIT Launches Scholarship In Memory of Prakriti Lamsal: Following the tragic incident in which 20-year-old Nepalese student Prakriti Lamsal was found dead in her hostel room at Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) in Bhubaneswar on February 16, 2025. The police officials has stated that she died by suicide due to blackmailing and harassment by one of her batchmates, Advik Srivastava. In a gesture of remembrance, KIIT has announced a scholarship in Prakriti’s name, aiming to honour her memory and support future generations of students.
About Prakriti Lamsal Suicide Death Case
Prakriti Lamsal was a third-year BTech Computer Science student at KIIT. As per the latest reports and investigations by the Police, she took her own life after being harassed by a 21-year-old mechanical engineering student, Advik Srivastava, from the same university. Advik, who is reportedly the son of a politician from Lucknow, was arrested on charges of abetment to suicide and is currently in judicial custody.
#WATCH | Odisha: A https://t.co/jHgpcuG1h2 third-year girl student from Nepal was found dead in KIIT University (Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology) hostel in Bhubaneswar on 16th February. As per a notice issued by the University, the institute is hence closed sine die… pic.twitter.com/vVfgY140up
— ANI (@ANI) February 17, 2025
The incident caused chaos on campus, with some Nepalese students protesting for justice. Reports suggest that many Nepalese students were asked to leave the campus abruptly without proper notice.
Earlier on Wednesday, officials said that after completing the necessary legal procedures, the body of the deceased student was sent back to Nepal.
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KIIT Launches Scholarship
The news of Prakriti Lamsal’s untimely demise sent shockwaves through Nepal and Odisha. In response to this tragedy, KIIT founder, Achyuta Samanta on February 19, 2025, made the solemn decision to establish a scholarship in Prakriti's honour. This initiative is not only a tribute to her, but also a step towards offering a lasting legacy that can positively impact future students.
On Wednesday, February 19, 2025, Achyuta Samanta met with Prakriti’s father and uncle to express his deepest condolences and assure them that KIIT would do everything in its power to honour her memory. “A scholarship would be instituted in Lamsal's name as a tribute to her memory”, said Achyuta Samanta. Achyuta Samanta also communicated with Nepal’s Foreign Minister, Arzu Rana Deuba, and Minister for Water Supply, Pradeep Yadav, to assure them that KIIT is fully committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all students, particularly those from Nepal.
The scholarship will be a significant part of KIIT’s ongoing commitment to fostering an environment where students can thrive, and it is hoped that it will serve as both a remembrance of Prakriti and an inspiration for others.
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Support And Reassurance for Nepalese Students
Following the tragic incident, the Nepalese student community at KIIT was understandably shaken. Protests erupted on campus, with many students expressing concerns about their safety. KIIT acted swiftly, working closely with officials from Nepal’s Embassy in New Delhi to address these concerns and reassure students of their safety on campus.
The embassy's representatives visited the campus on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, meeting with Nepalese students and providing them with the assurance that the institution would take all necessary steps to prevent such incidents from happening in the future.
Letter of Apology from the Vice-Chancellor, KIIT-DU
— KIIT - Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (@KIITUniversity) February 18, 2025
KIIT has always been a home to students from across the world, fostering a culture of inclusivity, respect, and care. We deeply regret the recent incident and reaffirm our commitment to the safety, dignity, and well-being of… pic.twitter.com/mJb1Zo9jGj
This also comes after the KIIT Vice-Chancellor issued the apology letter which stated, “KIIT has always been a home to students from across the world, fostering a culture of inclusivity, respect and care. We deeply regret the recent incident and reaffirm our commitment to the safety, dignity, and well-being of all our students, including our dear Nepali students.” So far six people have been arrested in the case.
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Image credit: Freepik and Twitter
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