Prachi Nigam, the top scorer in the class 10th board examination from Sitapur, Uttar Pradesh, gained widespread attention for her remarkable academic achievement. However, amidst the accolades, she faced unwarranted criticism on social media regarding her facial hair, disregarding her youthful age.
Despite achieving an outstanding 98.5 percent in the UP board examination, Prachi encountered disparaging remarks about her appearance. In her first response to these trolls, shared during an interview with IANS, Prachi exhibited resilience and optimism, emphasizing that her success defines her, not the negative opinions of others.
“Trollers can live with their mindset, I am happy that my success is now my identity.”
Prachi Nigam highlighted that her focus has always been on her studies, with neither her family, friends, nor teachers ever drawing attention to her facial hair.
However, after her photo circulated following the announcement of her results, she became the target of online ridicule.
“My family, my teachers, my friends never criticised me for my appearance and I never bothered about it either. It was only when my photograph was published after the results that people started trolling me and then my attention was drawn to the problem.”
Responding to the trolls, Prachi reaffirmed her ambition to become an engineer, emphasizing that her academic achievements are paramount, not superficial judgments based on her appearance.
My aim is to become an engineer and what will ultimately matter are my marks and not the hair on my face.”
Despite the criticism she faced, many rallied in support of Prachi, recognizing her youthfulness and urging empathy. It’s important to note that facial hair can be a common hormonal issue during adolescence. As a responsible society and media, we should refrain from magnifying such issues and instead encourage individuals to pursue their aspirations, focusing on their achievements rather than superficial attributes.
Prachi Nigam’s dignified response serves as a powerful reminder that true worth lies in one’s accomplishments, not in conforming to societal beauty standards.
