UP State 10th Class Board Topper Trolled for Her Looks

Uttar Pradesh 10th Class Board topper, Prachi Nigam was brutally trolled online for having facial hair.

Prachi Nigam, a stellar student from Sitapur, Uttar Pradesh, soared to the top of the state's 10th-grade boards, securing an impressive 98.5% at Sita Bal Vidya Mandir Inter College. Her dedication and hard work propelled her to academic excellence, a feat she proudly celebrated in a recent interview.

However, Prachi's triumph was overshadowed by a wave of online bullying when her photo went viral, drawing attention not to her academic prowess but to her appearance. From April 21, 2024, onwards, social media platforms buzzed with derogatory comments and sexist jibes aimed at Prachi's facial hair and grooming.

Yet, amidst the negativity, many social media users rallied to Prachi's defense, condemning the trolls and challenging society's narrow beauty standards. They highlighted the possibility of hormonal imbalances like Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) contributing to Prachi's facial hair, emphasizing the unfairness of mocking her natural appearance.

Prachi herself addressed the trolls on April 24, asserting her pride in her academic achievements and dismissing the online criticism. She eloquently stated that her success defines her, not her appearance, and reaffirmed her focus on her academic goals.

In a heartening show of support, Indian chess grandmaster Vishwanathan Anand stood by Prachi, urging her to remain steadfast in her academic pursuits despite the online negativity.

Adding to the chorus of support, Prof. R K Dhiman of the Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGIMS) offered to treat Prachi free of cost, highlighting the commonality of facial hair growth in girls during puberty.

Undeterred by the online vitriol, Prachi remains steadfast in her ambition to become an engineer and aims to conquer the IIT-JEE entrance exam.

As the debate rages on social media, the question arises: What holds more value in our society - intelligence or beauty? Share your thoughts in the comments section as the discourse continues.

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