A degree, and a testimonial written differently, for TISS graduate who died in Delhi fire

The 25-year-old Shrutika Baranwal, a graduate of the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), will receive her Master's degree in Water Policy and Governance posthumously during the 86th convocation of the institute today. Tragically, Shrutika was among 21 individuals who perished in a fire at a bed and breakfast facility in south Delhi's Hauz Rani in June.

Her parents, Ramesh Prasad Baranwal and Babita, travelled from their hometown in Jharkhand to Mumbai to collect Shrutika's degree certificate, as everything else was destroyed in the inferno. Shrutika secured a first-class result in her degree.

Shrutika had relocated to Delhi in June 2023 for a job opportunity at the Rubber, Chemical & Polymer Skill Development Council, which she had acquired through campus placement. Despite coming from a family where engineering, medicine, or CA were the preferred higher education paths, Shrutika chose a career in water policy and governance. She had even been involved in groundwater preservation initiatives and had submitted a well-received dissertation on shallow aquifer management in Dhanbad.

In her memory, her family will be joined by her daughter-in-law and granddaughter at the convocation. The Baranwals, who had previously celebrated their wedding anniversary in Mumbai under festive circumstances, are now attending the event to pay tribute to their daughter's achievements and her bright, determined spirit.