The Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) of Odisha, India has announced a special scholarship for Nepali students in memory of Prakriti Lamsal, a Nepali student who died by suicide.

According to the institute, KIIT founder Prof Achyuta Samanta met Lamsal’s father and uncle, assuring them that her aspirations would live on through the scholarship. “To honour her memory and fulfil her father’s wish, KIIT will introduce a special scholarship for Nepali students in her name. This initiative will ensure that talented students like Prakriti can pursue their education without obstacles,” read the statement issued by the institute.

The statement added that Prof Samanta also met officials from the Embassy of Nepal and spoke with Nepal’s foreign and home ministers.

Lamsal was found dead on Sunday evening after reportedly facing persistent harassment from an Indian batchmate. Fellow Nepali students alleged that despite prior complaints, the university administration failed to take action against the accused.

Lamsal’s cousin, Siddhant Sigdel, who reported the incident to the police, claimed she was blackmailed. The Indian Express reported that an FIR was filed, stating that the actions of Lamsal’s batchmate drove her to take the extreme step.

The university initially ordered Nepali students to vacate the hostels following a dispute over her suspicious death. It later instructed all Nepali students to leave but has now stated they may stay.

Meanwhile, Nepali students returning from the university have arrived back home. By Wednesday, over a hundred students had entered Nepal through the Biratnagar and Kakarbhitta border points.

According to Rakesh Yadav from Sunsari, who returned home via the Jogbani border point, more than 800 students were taken to the railway station after the protest.

“The university suddenly dropped us off at the railway station. Some students did not even have money to return home,” Yadav said.

Yadav returned on Wednesday with a group of 15 students. Police have been facilitating the students returning from Odisha at the border points and assisting them in reaching their destinations.

According to Nepali students studying at KIIT, Adhvik Srivastava, an Indian student, had repeatedly harassed Lamsal.

They claimed that Lamsal died by suicide after being unable to endure the harassment.

When students went to file a complaint demanding action against the perpetrator, the KIIT administration allegedly suppressed them instead.