Delhi News: Student Protests, In a heartfelt response to the recent tragedy in Delhi’s Old Rajinder Nagar, several UPSC coaching centers have come forward to support the affected students and their families. This follows the unfortunate deaths of three civil services aspirants at the Rau’s IAS coaching center, which has led to significant outcry and student protests from the student community.
The incident and student protests over tragic deaths
On July 27, a devastating incident occurred when the basement library of Rau’s IAS, an institution known for its UPSC coaching, flooded due to heavy rains. The flooding led to the untimely deaths of Shreya Yadav from Ambedkar Nagar in Uttar Pradesh, Tanya Soni from Telangana, and Nevin Dalwin from Ernakulam in Kerala. These young aspirants were studying in the basement library when it was overtaken by rainwater, highlighting severe safety lapses at the facility.
In response, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has taken swift action by sealing numerous illegal libraries and demolishing unauthorized structures at several other coaching institutes. This move aims to prevent similar tragedies in the future and ensure that students are safe in their learning environments.
The Tragic Incident and Its Immediate Aftermath
Several well-known coaching institutes have stepped up to support the victims’ families and the affected students from Rau’s IAS.
Vajiram & Ravi, one of the premier UPSC coaching centers, announced that they would offer free admission to students currently enrolled at Rau’s IAS. They also pledged a financial contribution of Rs. 10 lakh to each of the three families affected by the tragedy. “As a sign of solidarity with the families of the departed souls, we are committed to helping during this difficult time,” Vajiram & Ravi stated.
Next IAS, another prominent institute, has also decided to provide ₹10 lakh each to the families of the three victims. To further support the students disrupted by the incident at Rau’s IAS, Next IAS will offer classes to cover the remaining syllabus of Rau’s IAS current session at no charge. The institute’s chief managing director, B Singh, emphasized their commitment to student welfare and announced plans to establish a ‘Student Care Cell’ to address safety concerns. “Our motive to teach (without any charges) is just to help and support students affected by this tragedy,” Singh stated.
SriRam IAS coaching institute joined the effort by pledging ₹10 lakh to each of the three victims’ families and to the family of Nilesh Rai, who died from electrocution in Delhi’s Laxmi Nagar. They extended an open invitation to students of Rau’s IAS to use their classrooms and libraries. “We are here to support you in every way we can,” the institute assured in a statement.
Student Protests and Their Demands
The tragic incident has sparked a wave of protests among civil services aspirants, who are demanding better safety measures, reduced fees, and an end to what they describe as exploitation by coaching institutes. On Thursday, students in Old Rajinder Nagar held a spot election to choose a core committee for talks with authorities. Although the process faced some disruption, a panel of 10-15 members is expected to be formed to represent the students’ concerns and demands.
Students have raised concerns about the lack of basic safety measures in many coaching institutes, which operate in cramped and often unsafe conditions. The tragic deaths have brought these issues to the forefront, prompting calls for stricter regulations and oversight of these institutions.
A Community United in Grief and Resolve
The response from the coaching institutes shows a rare moment of unity and compassion in the competitive world of UPSC coaching. By offering financial assistance and free classes, these institutes are not only helping the affected families but also sending a message of solidarity to the student community.
The protests and subsequent actions by the authorities highlight the urgent need for reform in the coaching industry. As students and institutes come together in the wake of this tragedy, there is hope that meaningful changes will be implemented to ensure the safety and well-being of all aspirants.
