Mumbai: Shrutika Baranwal was just 30 minutes away from checking out of a hotel in Delhi's Malviya Nagar when a devastating fire broke out, claiming 21 lives, including hers. A recent graduate of the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Baranwal had secured a job and was in the capital for a work-related meeting. She had checked into Flourish Stays B&B for a night and was preparing to leave when the tragedy struck, according to institute sources.
Details of the Victim
Shrutika, 25, had received her first salary just the day before and was excited to share the news with her father. On Wednesday, she had a video call with her brother around 8:15 am, said Dean of the School of Habitat Studies, Prof Geetanjoy Sahu.
Baranwal, originally from Bokaro in Jharkhand, graduated from the premier Mumbai institute a month ago. According to her LinkedIn profile, she worked on household surveys, water supply assessments, and groundwater-related studies. A friend mentioned that her MA thesis focused on shallow aquifers in Bihar. Her social media profile indicates she held a bachelor's degree in zoology.
Academic Background and Career
May 4 was the last day of instruction for the MA in Water Policy and Governance programme under the School of Habitat Studies; students presented their theses on May 23. A classmate who spoke to her last week said Baranwal began working ahead of most of her batchmates. "She told me her work was largely remote, with occasional field visits."
Rishi Chaturvedi, another friend and classmate, said, "She was excited about securing a job and becoming financially independent. She was extremely close to her father and always wanted to make him proud." He regretted not staying in touch more often over the past month.
Institute officials said Shrutika was hired as a business development executive at the Rubber Chemical and Polymer Skill Development Council. "The requirement was posted on our group, Shrutika applied and she got through," said the friend.
Institute's Response
The institute held a condolence meeting on Thursday evening, where students and faculty remembered her as a bright and enthusiastic student who actively participated in campus activities.
"We received the information on Wednesday and immediately asked our students in Delhi and alumni to reach the hospital. Her father and brother arrived on Wednesday night. They took her body back to Jharkhand on Thursday morning," said Prof Sahu.
Broader Implications
One of the professors said the tragedy was a reminder of how human lives are often taken for granted in the country. He noted that serious safety violations continue to go unchecked, with innocent and unsuspecting people ultimately paying the price with their lives.
