Institutes offer support, relief to victims’ kin

Tribune News Service

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New Delhi, August 2
As public outrage continues to mount over the tragic deaths of three Civil Services aspirants due to flooding in the basement of their coaching institute in Old Rajinder Nagar, several coaching institutes have stepped forward to provide financial and educational support to the victims’ families.
The three students, Shreya Yadav, Tanya Soni and Nevin Dalvin were enrolled at Rau’s IAS Study Circle when the mishap occurred.
Vajiram & Ravi, NEXT IAS and Drishti IAS are among the institutes that have announced compensation of Rs 10 lakh each for the families of the deceased students.
In addition to financial aid, these institutes have offered educational assistance to those affected by the tragedy.
In a press statement released on Thursday night, Vajiram & Ravi expressed deep sorrow over the incident. “We are profoundly saddened by the unfortunate demise of three innocent lives. As a sign of solidarity with the families of the departed souls, Vajiram & Ravi comes forward to make a financial contribution of Rs 10 lakh to each of the three IAS aspirants who lost their lives recently,” the institute stated.
The institutes also announced that they would admit, free of cost, students from Rau’s IAS Study Circle who are preparing for the Main Exam 2024 and Prelim-cum-Mains Exam 2025, including classes for General Studies, CSAT and optional subjects.
NEXT IAS also issued a statement on Thursday night, emphasising the inadequacy of financial compensation in the face of such a loss. “While no action can ever truly heal this loss and no financial support can compensate for the loss of their lives, standing by our commitment towards the student community, the NEXT IAS family (Management and Faculties) has decided to provide Rs 10 lakh each to the next of kin of the bereaved families of the three students,” the statement read. The institute also announced the conversion of one of its classrooms into a reading room, available to CSE Mains 2024 students from August 10 to September 30.
Vikas Divyakirti, the founder and managing director of Drishti IAS, also extended his support to the affected families. In a post on X on Friday, Divyakirti wrote, “No amount of money can erase the pain of losing children, yet as a humble effort to express solidarity in this hour of grief, Drishti IAS has provided Rs 10 lakhs each to the four bereaved families.” Drishti IAS will also offer free academic assistance, including classes for general studies, test series and optional subjects, to students from Rau’s IAS Study Circle. “Interested students can access these services by contacting the help desk at the Drishti IAS Karol Bagh office starting Monday, August,” he added.
The gesture of solidarity by these coaching institutes comes amidst widespread criticism of the safety standards in Old Rajinder Nagar, a hub for civil services aspirants in Delhi.