Parvati Ojha, lovingly called “Canteen Aunty” by hundreds of students, tragically lost her life while trying to save young diners during a sudden building collapse in Saidulajab, south Delhi, on Saturday evening.
She ran a popular affordable canteen on the ground floor of the multi-storey building, serving full meals to students — many of them medical aspirants — for just Rs 70.
When the building began collapsing within seconds, Parvati and her family members first managed to come outside safely. However, she rushed back inside to warn and evacuate around 10-12 students who were still eating.
Her relative Hari Prasad recounted: “She went straight inside to warn and save those students. She never thought about her own safety.” The entire building collapsed like a house of cards in just six to seven seconds.
Students remembered Parvati as a motherly figure who fed those who had no money and always checked on their well-being. Many grieving students gathered at AIIMS Trauma Centre after her body was recovered.
Parvati Ojha’s selfless act has left a deep impact, highlighting her dedication to the students she cared for every day.
