A few days back, I penned a blog post about “The Coaching Factory,” highlighting how coaching centers in India foster a culture of self-obsession and winning at any cost. These institutions even offer “exam hacks” for a higher fee. Few day after writing this blog, a tragedy struck one such hotspot in Delhi’s Rajendra Nagar, where three IAS aspirants lost their lives due to sudden flooding in the basement library. The video of the incident, shows waterlogged street, basement fully submerged in water after a few hours of rain, is heartbreaking.

Over 50 aspirants were present in that submerged basement library, emphasizing the severity of the situation that may have happened. I firmly believe that education should be more cooperative rather than competitive, as the current system only benefits a select few who have the necessary resources. Therefore, I decided to write this blog post to shed light on the serious concerns surrounding this organized coaching ecosystem.

Tragic Incident: A Wake-Up Call

This incident is not just about the loss of three young lives but also exposes the corrupt practices of the coaching mafia ecosystem. These hotspots create a demand-supply network where only the operatives benefit, often linked to coaching centers. The corruption is evident in illegal basement coaching centers, libraries, and PGs with dire living conditions. These PGs are cramped, barely offering enough space to live, with eateries charging exorbitant prices for food.

Reality Check

The Depth of Corruption

Basements, meant for parking or storage, are illegally converted into libraries, coaching centers, and PGs. Unauthorized construction is rampant, with illegal floors and extended boundaries visible everywhere. The real estate mafia’s involvement is undeniable, not just in these hotspots but across Delhi NCR. Local food stalls sell unhygienic food at premium prices, exploiting the aspirants. The entire environment resembles a scene from “The Godfather,” with every individual, selected body, government official, and system playing their part to keep this operation running.

The Broader Impact

The most disturbing aspect is how these aspirants, who may become future IAS or IPS officers, tolerate and navigate such corruption during their preparatory days. This tolerance could contribute to the misuse of power by these future bureaucrats. The cinematic portrayal of these aspirants performing miracles and succeeding against all odds is, to me, just an illusion. If asked to rank prevalent corruption, many citizens of India would place the administration and bureaucrats second, right after politics. A significant revolution against these bureaucrats seems imminent, which I will discuss in a future post.

My View: I’ve visited Karol Bagh and Rajendra Nagar many times and can clearly see the extent of encroachment, which couldn’t have happened without the involvement of the administration, locals, authorities, and political figures. These mafia-like operations in education must be regulated. Knowledge should become more accessible, with good teachers providing quality teaching materials for free in digital world, creating a level playing field for all. These teachers should be rewarded and adequately compensated for the greater good of our nation.

The education and job ecosystems should shift towards being more cooperative rather than competitive, benefiting a broader segment of the Indian population instead of a privileged few. The current scenario leaves a large part of Indian society in limbo, and it’s time for change.

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