Tragic Delhi Flooding: 3 IAS Aspirants Lose Lives

A tragic incident in Delhi has claimed the lives of three IAS aspirants, following severe flooding at a coaching centre in Old Rajinder Nagar. The victims, Shreya Yadav from Uttar Pradesh, Tanya Soni from Telangana, and Nevin Dalvin from Kerala, were found in the basement of the building after heavy rains led to a devastating flood.

The Victims and Their Dreams:

Shreya Yadav:
Shreya Yadav, a 25-year-old from Ambedkar Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, joined Rau’s IAS coaching centre in April 2024. She held a B.Sc. degree in Agriculture and aspired to clear one of the country’s toughest examinations. Shreya’s family, including her father Rajendra Yadav, who runs a dairy shop, and her brother Abhishek Yadav, a Mass Communication student, are devastated by the loss. Shreya had previously informed her family about the basement flooding issues, which the institute allegedly ignored.
Tanya Soni:
Tanya Soni, also 25, hailed from Secunderabad, Telangana, originally from Aurangabad, Bihar. She was a student at Delhi University, staying at a women’s hostel of DU’s Maharaja Agrasen College. Her father, Vijay Kumar, works in a mining company. Tanya had two younger siblings and had been preparing for the IAS exam for over a month. Her body was taken to Aurangabad for the last rites after a post-mortem.
Nevin Dalvin:
Nevin Dalvin, a 28-year-old from Ernakulam, Kerala, had been in Delhi for eight months, pursuing a PhD from Jawaharlal Nehru University. He was a resident of Patel Nagar and was present in the library located in the basement during the flooding. Nevin’s family, originally from Thiruvananthapuram, has lived in Ernakulam for the past 10-12 years.

Protests and Allegations:

The tragic event has sparked anger among students and aspirants at the coaching centre. They protested outside the institute, accusing the authorities of negligence. The families of the victims have alleged that the institute failed to take necessary precautions and did not inform them promptly about the incident. Furthermore, they claimed they were not allowed to see the bodies of their loved ones at the hospital, exacerbating their grief.

This tragic incident has brought to light serious concerns about safety measures in educational institutions. The loss of these bright, young aspirants has not only devastated their families but also highlighted the urgent need for better infrastructure and safety protocols. As the investigation continues, it is crucial to address these issues to prevent such tragedies in the future.