The life of students preparing for UPSC in Old Rajendra Nagar, Delhi has become very difficult these days. Due to tension in the Middle East, the supply of LPG cylinders in India has been badly affected. Neither domestic cylinders nor commercial ones are easily available here. Many mess-dhabas have come to a standstill in Old Rajinder Nagar area, which is considered a coaching hub. Due to non-availability of gas cylinder, cooking in their room has stopped and eating outside has become very expensive.
When the ABP News team reached Old Rajendra Nagar, the restlessness of the students and the helplessness of the shopkeepers were clearly visible. Here, most of the students coming from other states live in small rooms or PGs and sometimes study by cooking food in their rooms and sometimes by eating outside, but now due to the shortage of gas, this routine has also been broken.
students’ words
A student named Vikas told ABP News that why is the burden of conflicts taking place in the world on us? Gas is not available here. When we go out to buy food, the plate which was earlier available for Rs 70-80 is now available for Rs 110-120. Many shops are serving cold food because in order to save gas, they prepare it in the morning and serve it till evening. Earlier my monthly expenses used to be Rs 15 thousand but it seems that it will reach Rs 30-32 thousand. If this situation continues then we will have to leave from here.
Tell me, how much has the cost of food increased?
Dipanshu, who came from Meerut, said, “I used to cook food in my room, but now I am not even getting a cylinder. I have to eat outside. The money I get from home is limited, the budget has gone haywire. The cost of food will increase from Rs 3,000 to more than Rs 5,000. Exams are near, when will we study? Looks like we will have to return home. Another student Parikshit said, “We used to cook food ourselves so that the expenses are less, but now we have to come out. The cylinder is available in black for Rs 4 thousand. Many friends have already gone home. Our exams are on 24th May, but how will we stay mentally fit without eating healthy? The family members are saying come, but we are here for the exam. How will studies be possible if proper food is not available? Now we are forced to return home, there is no other option.”
What did the restaurant owner say?
ABP News spoke to Kamal Nath, a restaurant owner in the area. He told that the gas cylinder has not been received for two days, hence the shop has been forced to close. He further said that I will not buy gas cylinders in black, no matter how many days I have to keep the shop closed, I will keep it. I will not take the black cylinder. We will remain closed until normal supply comes.”
This crisis is deepest in areas like Rajendra Nagar. Many students are now being forced to return home or are preparing to flee. The war is happening far away from India, but its impact is now falling on the lives of common people across the country, especially the everyday lives of these students and the dreams of UPSC.
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