ANI editor, Smita Prakash was on the receiving end of online backlash after in a tweet she questioned people from poverty hit families for choosing degrees in language courses in Jawaharlal Nehru University.
In a two tweet post, Ms Prakash wrote, “Some fascinating student profiles from JNU in today’s paper. Wondering why a youth from Sasaram whose father earns 6000 a month want to get a masters degree in Russian which has hardly any job opportunities. Not demeaning thirst for education, just genuine curiosity.”
She further added, “Or a youth from Rajasthan whose family is battling agrarian distress want to study Spanish. Will 3 years and a bachelors degree in Spanish land him a job? Or youths from poverty hit families in UP spending 3 years studying Pashto and German.”
Twitter user Shahnawaz, in response, shared his personal story.
Hello @smitaprakash ji, please don’t mind this long thread with a bit of my own story to answer your question. Here goes? https://t.co/57BTQUtV1a
— Shahnawaz شاہ نواز (@shahnawazk) November 15, 2019
My father was a motor mechanic. His dream was to see his kids do well in life. Unlike his peers, he never made us work in the garage. Instead made us study… Thankfully my school gave me 50% relief. Worked for a year before getting in JNU. Studied French
— Shahnawaz شاہ نواز (@shahnawazk) November 15, 2019
Did my B.A in French from JNU. Got a job at AmEx… My father wanted me to do a PhD. He couldn’t study after class 8th but understood the need of education for upliftment. Did my M.A in French. Left studies to take care of my family. My dad still regrets me not having a PhD.
— Shahnawaz شاہ نواز (@shahnawazk) November 15, 2019
IAS Naveen Kuimar wrote “If complete nonsense was ever spoken. Personally know a dalit boy, from Prayagraj UP, studied Korean at JNU and now working at Microsoft. But according to you he must not dream coz dreaming is for big town folks. Great!”
If complete nonsense was ever spoken. Personally know a dalit boy, from Prayagraj UP, studied Korean at JNU and now working at Microsoft. But according to you he must not dream coz dreaming is for big town folks. Great!
— Naveen Kumar Chandra, IAS (@n_k_chandra) November 15, 2019
Mam, foreign languages have tremendous job opportunities. I did my grad. ‘05 in Arabic from JNU, got placed in a Dubai based firm & worked 4 yrs abroad, returned India in ‘10 & joined JSW, currently in supply chain with Raymond.
Btw, I was politically active as well in JNU? https://t.co/Bzn8n0FDd9— Nikhil Chowdhary (@chowdhary_nik) November 15, 2019
Ms S Prakash’s tweet on language studies being useless in terms of employment opportunities makes sense only if she has a firm belief in an economically and diplomatically isolated India.
The School of Languages in JNU used to be the only one offering undergraduate courses— Ritu Chaudhry (@TheRituChaudhry) November 15, 2019
Not sure about Pashto but Spanish, German and Russian have tremendous scope for our youth. Many JVCs regularly hire on handsome salaries. Few friends around. Opportunities in Coys abroad as well. Recently came across promo of a University in this regard.
— Shahid Choudhary (@listenshahid) November 15, 2019
That’s good. I stand corrected.
— Smita Prakash (@smitaprakash) November 15, 2019
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