Representative image JAIPUR: Almost nine months after the pandemic painted Kota with a near-deserted look, the country’s famous ‘coaching town’ is now readying for a new lease of life. From the numerous big and small coaching institutes and hostels to roadside vendors, cabs and auto-rickshawallahs, all are up on their feet. The town is abuzz with activity, waiting for January 18 when students from across the country studying there for competitive exams — an estimated 1.5 lakh — who left for their homes during the lockdown begin to return. The coaching town is expecting around 30,000-40,000 students returning in the first leg, most of them those who will appear in the JEE-Main and NEET exams scheduled this year. As per the government order, the institutes are allowed only 50% of students of the maximum limit in their classes, which could be further reduced to 20% to win over the confidence of parents and students.