"Papa, Save Me": The Heartbreaking Stories Behind The Lucknow Coaching Centre Fire

The flames may have been extinguished, but for the families of the 15 victims, the pain remains unbearable. Behind every casualty is a story of dreams, ambition and a future that will never be realised. From Shahjan's desperate call to his father as the fire spread, to the friends who lived and worked together before losing their lives together, and the young woman whose scooter now makes a final journey home, this report captures the devastating human cost of the Lucknow coaching centre fire. As grieving parents, siblings and relatives struggle to come to terms with their loss, painful questions remain about accountability, safety failures and whether this tragedy could have been prevented. A special ground report by India Today on the lives lost and the families left behind.