Parvati Ojha, affectionately known as “Parvati Aunty” among hundreds of outstation students in Delhi’s Saidulajab area near Saket, died after reportedly rushing back into her mess to warn and evacuate students moments before a neighbouring building collapsed on May 31.
According to family members, students and eyewitnesses, the 50-year-old had initially stepped out after noticing cracks and signs of structural distress but returned upon realising several people were still eating inside. She was later found trapped under the debris and declared dead.
The tragedy has sparked an outpouring of grief from current and former medical and engineering aspirants who frequented her canteen, describing it as a second home. Officials launched rescue operations immediately after the collapse and recovered multiple victims from the site.
While authorities continue investigating the cause of the collapse, students and residents have remembered Parvati not only as a canteen owner but as a caregiver who looked after young people living away from their families.
A Sanctuary For Students
For years, Parvati’s modest mess served as much more than an affordable eatery for students preparing for competitive examinations such as NEET, FMGE, GATE and various engineering entrance tests.
Located in a neighbourhood packed with coaching centres and rented accommodations, her establishment became a familiar gathering place where students celebrated birthdays, discussed examination results, shared anxieties about their futures and found comfort after long study sessions.
Several students told reporters that no matter how late they arrived, Parvati would ensure they received a meal. “Aunty never said no,” one student recalled while speaking to local media.
Others described her as a mother figure who regularly checked whether they had eaten, enquired about their wellbeing and offered support during difficult periods. According to relatives, she believed students living away from home deserved affordable and wholesome food, often prioritising their needs over profits.
This deep bond became evident in the aftermath of the collapse, when many students gathered at the site and hospitals seeking updates about her condition. Witnesses and family members said Parvati had reached safety after noticing warning signs in the adjoining structure but chose to return after seeing that several students remained inside.
Reports suggest that the noise from large air coolers may have prevented some occupants from hearing warnings. Students say her final act reflected the same instinct that defined her everyday life putting others before herself.
Moments Before The Collapse
The incident unfolded on Saturday evening when a building adjacent to Parvati’s canteen collapsed in Saidulajab, a densely populated area that houses numerous coaching students and working professionals.
Survivors described hearing cracks and unusual sounds before the structure gave way, turning a routine evening into a scene of panic.
Emergency services, police personnel and disaster response teams were rushed to the location, where rescue efforts continued through the night. Officials confirmed that multiple people were trapped under the rubble and that search operations were conducted using heavy machinery and specialised rescue equipment.
While investigations into the exact cause of the collapse are ongoing, preliminary reports indicate that structural weaknesses may have played a role. Authorities have stated that a detailed inquiry will determine whether safety norms were violated and if negligence contributed to the disaster.
Amid the rescue operations, tributes for Parvati began circulating across student groups, social media platforms and local communities. Many former patrons, some now practising doctors and engineers, shared memories of meals, conversations and acts of kindness that had shaped their years in Delhi.
What emerged was a portrait of a woman whose influence extended far beyond the walls of her small mess. For countless students navigating academic pressure, loneliness and financial constraints, Parvati’s canteen offered not just food but a sense of belonging.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The story of Parvati Ojha reminds us that communities are often held together by ordinary people performing extraordinary acts of care. While investigations must establish accountability for the structural failure that led to this tragedy, Parvati’s final act has also highlighted the invisible support systems that sustain thousands of young Indians living away from home.
Their contributions rarely make headlines until a moment of crisis reveals their significance. As cities continue to grow and more students migrate in pursuit of education and opportunity, there is an urgent need to strengthen building safety, enforce regulations and create environments where people can live and study without fear.
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