By: Dr. Satyavan Saurabh
The recent coaching centre fire in Lucknow has shaken the entire nation. Smoke-filled buildings, screaming students, panicked parents, and the scramble of rescue teams—these scenes are not just a reflection of an accident, but a reflection of the weaknesses in our system that we have ignored for years. Every major tragedy is followed by a few days of grief, sympathy, and outrage, before everything returns to normal. But the question is: will the safety of our children remain a temporary news item? Will we not wake up until the next tragedy strikes in another city, another coaching institute, or another hostel?
Today, millions of students in India are preparing for competitive exams while living far from home. Cities like Kota, Delhi, Lucknow, Prayagraj, Patna, Jaipur, and Chandigarh have become major centers of education. Parents send their children to these institutions with great hopes for a better future. They pay fees, bear hostel expenses, and trust that their child’s safety will be taken care of wherever they study. Unfortunately, this trust is often broken.
Such accidents don’t happen suddenly. They stem from years of negligence, disregard for regulations, and a lack of accountability. When a building lacks adequate emergency exits, when electrical wiring is not up to standard, when fire extinguishers are installed merely for show, when commercial activities are conducted without following building regulations, a small spark can turn into a major tragedy any day.
Following this incident, the first question parents should ask themselves is whether they’ve ever truly investigated the security arrangements at their child’s coaching institute, hostel, or PG? Often, we inquire about an institution’s reputation, results, and facilities, but ignore safety concerns. This trend must change. As important as a child’s future is, their life and safety are even more important.
Parents should first check the condition of emergency exits. In the event of a fire in any building, a safe exit can be the difference between life and death. In many institutions, emergency stairs are either closed or filled with debris. In some places, security doors are locked. In such situations, escape becomes nearly impossible during a stampede or panic. If emergency exits in a building are not clearly marked or there are obstacles to their use, this should be considered a serious warning.
Another important aspect is the availability and functionality of firefighting equipment. Simply hanging fire extinguishers on walls doesn’t ensure safety. Regular inspection, maintenance, and periodic refilling are essential. Parents have the right to know how many fire extinguishers an institution has, their validity, and whether staff are trained in their use. If an institution doesn’t provide clear answers to these questions, its safety system should be seriously questioned.
The third issue is the Fire NOC (Fire Safety No Objection Certificate). It’s often seen in our country that while all regulations appear to be met on paper, the actual situation is different. Inspections are often a mere formality. Therefore, simply checking a copy of the NOC isn’t enough. It’s also essential to verify its validity, the inspection report, and the actual state of safety standards. The administration must ensure that the Fire NOC isn’t merely a paperwork, but rather evidence of actual safety.
Building structure is also an important safety factor. Many coaching institutes operate in multi-story buildings located in narrow streets. These lack adequate ventilation, have limited windows, and are overcrowded. Such buildings can become death traps in the event of an accident. Therefore, ensuring compliance with building standards is crucial.
Safety comes not just from equipment, but also from preparedness. Does the institution conduct regular fire drills? Are students taught what to do in case of an emergency? Is the staff trained in basic disaster management? The answers to these questions are often negative. While regular safety drills are mandatory in schools and educational institutions in developed countries, this system should be implemented in India as well.
This problem isn’t limited to coaching institutes. Hostels, PGs, dormitories, and private residential settings also often ignore safety standards. Many places overcrowd students. Narrow staircases, closed windows, and poor electrical systems multiply the risks. Therefore, safety must be considered comprehensively.
The role of the administration is also crucial in this regard. It is not enough to form an inquiry committee after an accident and announce action against the culprits. What is needed is a system of regular inspections and rigorous monitoring. Annual safety audits of coaching institutes and hostels should be mandatory in every city. Institutions found to have serious deficiencies should not be allowed to operate until they are rectified. Additionally, local bodies and fire departments must be strengthened with technical resources and manpower. Often, fire brigades cannot arrive in time during an accident. Narrow streets, traffic, and inadequate resources hamper rescue operations. If we truly want to prevent such incidents, emergency services must be made more efficient.
The role of society and the media is no less important. The media should not limit itself to sensational images. It should deeply investigate the causes that lead to such incidents. Society must also actively participate, going beyond expressing condolences on social media. Parental associations, civic groups, and social organizations should participate in monitoring safety standards and awareness campaigns.
Today, a mass movement is needed. Just as public awareness campaigns have been launched on cleanliness, education, and health, a comprehensive campaign is needed to address the safety of educational institutions. Every parent, every student, and every citizen must understand that safety is not an extra privilege, but a fundamental right.
The biggest irony is that we often don’t learn from accidents. Similar incidents have occurred before in Delhi, Surat, Rajkot, Kota, and many other parts of the country. Each time, investigations were conducted, reports were made, recommendations were made, and then everything was gradually forgotten. If this time too, we simply express condolences and move on, it would be an injustice to the innocent children whose dreams and lives are lost in these accidents.
Ultimately, it must be understood that child safety is not solely the responsibility of the administration or parents. It is a shared responsibility, involving institutions, the government, society, the media, and families. Until a culture of accountability is developed, rules will remain only on paper, and accidents will continue to recur.
Today, it’s essential that every parent personally investigate the security arrangements at their child’s institution. They should question the administrators, demand proof, and speak out if they don’t receive satisfactory answers. No compromise is more important than the lives of children.
This Lucknow fire isn’t just a tragedy for one city. It’s a warning to the entire nation. If we don’t wake up now, the next news will come from another city, another family’s life will be destroyed, and we’ll be asking the same question again—will the safety of our children remain just news?
The time has come to answer this question not with words but with concrete action.
—The author is a PhD (Political Science), is a poet and social thinker
