Navya Naveli Nanda, the granddaughter of Bollywood icons Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan, recently shared her excitement about securing a spot at the prestigious Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Ahmedabad. However, her joy was quickly overshadowed by online trolls who accused her of using her family’s wealth to gain admission.
Navya took to Instagram on Monday to announce her enrollment in the Blended Post Graduate Programme (BPGP) at IIM Ahmedabad, expressing her enthusiasm with the caption, “Dreams do come true!!! The next 2 years… with the best people & faculty!”
She also posted photos from the campus, marking the beginning of her academic journey. Despite her achievement, the comments section soon filled with negative remarks, with users questioning the legitimacy of her admission. Some accused her of bypassing the rigorous entrance exams, while others suggested that her wealth and family name had paved her way into the institution.
Promila Agarwal Twitter Post
In response to the online backlash, Promila Agarwal, a professor at IIM Ahmedabad, came forward to defend Navya. Agarwal reshared a post on X (formerly Twitter) that clarified the admission criteria for the BPGP, emphasizing that candidates are selected based on their scores from the IIMA Admission Test (IAT), a valid CAT score, or a GMAT/GRE score, followed by a personal interview. The post stated, “She didn’t just give them money to get admission; the girl worked hard to score well in the entrance exam and did well in the interview.”
Thanks, @rashi__pandey_, for saying so loudly.
The acceptance rate for this program is low, like others. Even if ppl want to discount her interview & CV. She, dammit, cleared the cut-off.
For a long time, India has been debating why elite families move out of India for higher… https://t.co/vj32H0Mvis
— Promila Agarwal (@promila_agarwal) September 2, 2024
Agarwal further expressed her frustration with the unwarranted criticism, highlighting the low acceptance rate of the program. She noted, “The acceptance rate for this program is low, like others. Even if people want to discount her interview and CV, she, dammit, cleared the cut-off.” She also addressed the broader issue of why elite families often seek education abroad, pointing out that Navya’s decision to study at an Indian institution should be celebrated rather than criticized. “One lady makes it to IIMA for an online MBA & everyone is worked up,” she added.
The professor also praised Navya’s qualifications, referring to her “solid CV” and commending her courage to sign up for the demanding program. She concluded her defense by stating, “Nobody is allowed to troll IIMA students under my nose. If anyone has to troll them, it has to be IIMA.”
Despite the negativity, Navya remains focused on her academic pursuits at IIM Ahmedabad, setting an example of perseverance in the face of adversity.
