In a somber development, three civil service aspirants have lost their lives in Delhi on July 28 due to a tragic incident at their coaching institute, Rau’s IAS Study Circle. The basement of the coaching centre, located in Old Rajinder Nagar, became inundated during the heavy monsoon rains. The flooding caused the biometric entry and exit system to malfunction, trapping the students inside the basement library and ultimately leading to their untimely deaths.
The tragedy has sparked significant outrage among students and the general public, leading to protests against the illegal use of basements for such purposes. An official from the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) announced that steps are being taken to act against establishments unlawfully utilizing basements, as per a PTI report.
Amid the public outcry, actor Abhilash Thapliyal, who spent a considerable amount of time in Old Rajinder Nagar while filming the popular TVF show “Aspirants,” shared his thoughts on the catastrophic event. Thapliyal portrayed the beloved character SK Jha on the show, which delves into the lives and challenges of UPSC aspirants. Talking to mid-day.com, the actor expressed his deep sorrow over the incident. “I owe the success of my character SK sir to all the UPSC aspirants. It is tragic and unfortunate what has happened in Rajinder Nagar. What is even more sad is the way the issue has been politicized, and I think politics has stooped to another level today,” he stated.
Reflecting further on the matter, Thapliyal said, “Tragedy, especially man-made ones, comes in all shapes and sizes and is not restricted to any particular department, government, state, or location. Just recently, we had the hoarding crash in Mumbai where so many innocent lives were lost. While filming in Old Rajinder Nagar, I realized that there is a high population density cramped into very small spaces.
. I am not sure how many of these places have all the required licenses and NOCs. I hope this incident serves as a wake-up call, and the authorities, as well as the operators of these spaces, ensure that all safety measures are in place.”
The issue of unauthorized use of basement spaces is a long-standing problem in many densely populated areas like Old Rajinder Nagar, which houses a large number of UPSC aspirants who come from various parts of the country to prepare for the competitive exams. The lack of adequate living and studying spaces often forces them into cramped accommodations, sometimes with significant safety hazards.
When questioned about his own experiences during the monsoon season as a former student of Delhi University, Thapliyal recounted, “I was lucky to be at home with my family while I was studying. When you are at home, your problems are not just your own, and you have the support of the entire family. My heart goes out to these aspirants who are staying so far from home, managing everything on their own. I hope the students create support groups within their community and are there for each other in this UPSC journey.”
There have been growing concerns over the safety and legality of many establishments in educational hubs like Old Rajinder Nagar. Reports indicate that not all structures meet the required safety standards, raising questions about the oversight mechanisms in place.
This heart-wrenching tragedy has put a spotlight on the inadequacies and systemic issues that need immediate attention to prevent such incidents from recurring. The residents and the student community are calling for stringent regulations and regular inspections to ensure that all buildings comply with safety standards.
As the investigation continues and action is promised by authorities, the hope remains that this incident will catalyze significant changes in the way educational and living spaces are regulated in such vital academic neighborhoods. The loss of these young, hopeful minds serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for better infrastructure, safety measures, and oversight in areas critical to the dreams of many future civil servants.
