Delhi marks 29 years since Uphaar cinema fire.

29 years after Uphaar tragedy, victims’ association says no lessons learnt New Delhi, India – Today marks 29 years since the devastating fire at the Uphaar cinema in South Delhi, which claimed the lives of 59 innocent people, mostly children and young adults. The Uphaar Cinema Association, formed in the aftermath of the tragedy, held its annual havan and shanti paath in Green Park, opposite the former cinema site, to remember the victims and express their disappointment with the lack of progress in preventing similar incidents. The fire on June 13, 1997, remains one of the deadliest in Delhi’s history, with 59 people trapped inside the cinema hall during a screening of the film ‘Pardes’..

The tragedy was attributed to a faulty electrical panel that sparked a fire, which quickly spread due to the cinema hall’s poor safety measures. The disaster led to widespread outrage and calls for stricter safety regulations in public buildings. Despite promises of reforms and stricter enforcement, the victims’ association claims that little has changed in the past two decades..

We gathered here to pay our respects to the victims, but we are also reminded of the promises that were made by the authorities to prevent such tragedies in the future, said a spokesperson for the association. Unfortunately, it seems that no lessons were learnt from the Uphaar tragedy, and we continue to face the same safety hazards in public buildings today. The Uphaar Cinema Association has been vocal in its criticism of the government’s response to the tragedy..

They point out that many public buildings in the city still lack proper fire safety measures, including functioning emergency exits, fire alarms, and fire suppression systems. It’s disheartening to see that the same mistakes are being repeated over and over again, said another member of the association. We hope that the government will take our concerns seriously and work towards creating a safer environment for everyone..

The association has been running a memorial ceremony in Green Park every year since the tragedy. They light lamps, perform shanti paath, and recite prayers to pay their respects to the victims. The ceremony is attended by family members of the victims, survivors, and well-wishers..

The association also hands out certificates and awards to students who have won essay competitions on the topic of fire safety and prevention. Today’s ceremony was attended by a large number of people, including family members of the victims, who lit lamps and prayed for the departed souls. The association also released a message of condolence, remembering the victims and their families..

We remember the 59 young lives that were lost on that fateful day, and our thoughts are with the families who continue to cope with the aftermath of the tragedy, said the message. The Uphaar Cinema Association has also been campaigning for better compensation and assistance for the families of the victims. Many of the families are still struggling to come to terms with the loss of their loved ones and are in need of financial support..

We have been fighting for justice for the victims and their families for almost three decades, said a spokesperson for the association. It’s high time that the government took concrete steps to address their concerns and provide them with the support they deserve. The government has set up a trust fund to compensate the families of the victims, but many of the families have complained about the slow process of claim settlement..

The association has also been demanding that the government take action against those responsible for the tragedy, including the owner of the cinema hall and the electrical contractor who installed the faulty panel. In recent years, Delhi has witnessed several fire incidents, including in public buildings, shopping malls, and residential complexes. These tragedies have highlighted the need for stricter safety measures and better enforcement of fire safety regulations..

We cannot afford to wait for another tragedy to occur before taking action, said a firefighter who attended the ceremony. We need to work towards creating a safer environment for everyone, and that requires a collective effort from all stakeholders. The Uphaar Cinema Association’s annual havan and shanti paath ceremony serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of fire safety and the need for responsible behavior..

As the city celebrates the 29th anniversary of the Uphaar tragedy, the association’s message is clear: we must learn from the past to create a safer future. The ceremony also highlighted the importance of community support and solidarity in the wake of a tragedy. Family members of the victims and survivors attended the ceremony, many of them still visibly shaken by the memory of that fateful day..

It’s a difficult day for all of us, but it’s also a day to come together and support each other, said a survivor of the tragedy. The Delhi government has announced plans to launch a comprehensive fire safety audit and inspection campaign to identify and rectify safety hazards in public buildings. The association has welcomed this move and called for the government to work with them to ensure that the campaign is effective and comprehensive..

As the city reflects on the Uphaar tragedy, the Uphaar Cinema Association is calling for continued vigilance and action to prevent similar incidents in the future. We hope that the government will take our concerns seriously and work towards creating a safer environment for everyone, said a spokesperson for the association. We owe it to the victims and their families to make sure that their sacrifice is not in vain..