Vikas Divyakirti Interview: ‘Now we will never work in the basement’, Vikas Divyakirti apologized; issued a statement

Dr. Vikas Divyakirti, the owner of Delhi's renowned coaching institute, Drishti IAS, broke his silence on the Old Rajinder Nagar incident. His first reaction came after the death of three UPSC students. During this, Vikas Divyakirti said that he fully agreed with the action of sealing the coaching center being run by Prabhasan in the basement.

A day earlier, the government had sealed the basement of Drishti IAS Institute due to legal violations. On this, Dr. Vikas Divyakirti said that I agree with the action taken by the administration.

He said that the outrage arising from the incident of the death of students due to water logging in a coaching center in Rajendra Nagar is justified. He demanded the officials implement guidelines for coaching institutes.

Along with this, Divyakirti said that I avoid the things that we put all the fault on someone. Vikas Divyakirti said that there is a lack of coordination between different laws, and different agencies. He pointed towards corruption. I was also very upset after watching that video.

People's resentment over the basement is justified - Divyakirti.

In a long conversation with news agency ANI, Dr Vikas Divyakirti said, "There is a lot of resentment among people about the basement at this time. We also completely agree that the basement should be sealed. But Delhi Metro runs in the basement, it is underground. Palika Bazaar is in the basement itself. There are very big shopping complexes in the basement of almost every mall in Delhi because the basement has been built properly there."

We will never work in the basement now - Divyakirti.

He said I am saying on record that we have submitted the entire layout structure of the basement to MCD, DDA, and Fire Department for NOC and no rejection has come from there yet... But despite this, looking at what happened in the last 3 days, I feel that it was negligence. This thought never came to our mind and I am openly saying that even if we get permission in the future, we will not work in the basement. I assure you this. Not a single coaching institute should be run in the basement.

Full attention is paid to the safety of the children- Divyakirti.

He further said that the kind of effort we make in the matter of building safety norms, I am sure you will not find it anywhere else. We appointed a divisional head rank officer 1.5 years ago, who only looks after the safety of the building. In January 2023, we created a WhatsApp group, I am a member of it, and the job of that group is to check 16 points that the doors are open, the fire exit is clear, there is no obstruction on it, the roof doors are open so that students can be evacuated in case of emergency. These 16 points are checked daily...I would like you to get a chance if you can do a survey, go to any of our branches in Delhi or outside Delhi, if any building does not have at least 2 exits then I am responsible.

We do not rent buildings that do not have fire exits...only that under no circumstances the life of any child or staff should be compromised. This is our intention. I made a mistake in understanding, I apologize to the whole country, the whole society that I made a mistake, and this mistake should not be repeated in the future."

Earlier, after the basement of the institute was sealed, a large number of students gathered outside his house on Monday night and demanded a response on this matter.

I apologize for presenting my side late - Divyakirti.

In his statement shared on 'X', Divyakirti said, we are sorry that we delayed in presenting our side. We did not want to say anything based on incomplete information. We heartily apologize for this delay.

On the meeting with the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, Drishti IAS founder and MD Dr. Vikas Divyakirti said, this issue is being handled by the Lieutenant Governor, there were many bureaucrats present, but no leader of the Delhi government was present... It was good to see that the Lieutenant Governor was so active... A small committee has been formed, which includes me and many other teachers and also the DDA and MCD chiefs. We are part of it. After holding meetings, we will try to find a solution.

Why has Vikas Divyakirti remained silent till now?

On not sharing his opinion on the incident in Delhi till now, Drishti IAS founder Divyakirti said that it is his nature and he does not express himself too much.

Divyakirti said in the interview, "It is my nature, I do not express myself too much. Three children died and it was a painful death. For the last three days, whenever we talk at home or I go to sleep, an image forms in my mind of what those children must have gone through when the water filled inside... All the things that the students are protesting right now are correct. It is good that I met three students today (Tuesday).

I had a meeting with the LG of Delhi. Some students also came to that meeting and owners of many institutions were also there. Senior officials of the Delhi government, DDA, MCD, fire department, and the Chief Secretary also attended.

Three UPSC aspirants die.

Three students, Shreya Yadav from Uttar Pradesh, Tanya Soni from Telangana, and Navin Dalvin from Kerala, died on the evening of July 27 after rainwater entered the basement of the coaching institute building in Old Rajinder Nagar.

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