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The recent tragedy at Rau's IAS coaching centre in Delhi has brought to light the dangers faced by students preparing for the highly competitive Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) exam. The incident, which occurred during heavy rainfall on July 27, 2023, resulted in the deaths of three young aspirants who were trapped in a flooded basement of the coaching centre. The incident has sparked outrage and calls for stricter safety regulations for educational institutions in India.
The deceased, Shreya Yadav from Ambedkar Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, Tanya Soni from Telangana, and Nivin Dalwin from Ernakulam, Kerala, were all pursuing their dreams of serving the nation through the civil services. Their families, burdened by the financial strain of coaching fees, were devastated by the loss. Shreya's father, a dairy farmer, had taken out a loan to pay for her coaching. The tragedy highlights the immense sacrifices that many students and their families make in their pursuit of higher education, particularly in the highly competitive field of civil services.
The incident also raises serious concerns about the safety standards maintained by coaching centres, especially during extreme weather events. The flooding at Rau's IAS centre, which reportedly had around 30 students present at the time, exposes the lack of preparedness and emergency protocols at many such facilities. The police investigation into the incident, leading to the arrest of the CEO and coordinator on charges of culpable homicide, underscores the negligence involved in ensuring the safety of students. This incident should serve as a wake-up call for all coaching centres to prioritize safety measures and implement robust emergency plans to protect students from potential hazards.
In the aftermath of this tragedy, there is a need for a comprehensive review of safety regulations for coaching centres across the country. This should include mandatory fire safety audits, regular safety drills, and the establishment of clear protocols for handling emergencies like floods and other natural disasters. Furthermore, the government should consider providing financial assistance and scholarships to students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds who are pursuing civil services examinations. This will help to reduce the financial burden on families and ensure that aspiring civil servants are not forced to compromise their safety for the sake of their dreams.
Source: What are fees of Rau's IAS coaching centre where 3 UPSC aspirants died?