Harvard or Hard Work? A Harvard Student’s Open Letter to PM Modi

An Indian studying at Harvard University, Prateek Kanwal, has written an open letter to the Prime Minister with his point of attack being Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s election rally in Uttar Pradesh last week, where the PM mocked economists and reputed top-notch universities around the world, like Harvard University.

‘My Credentials as a Hardworking Nationalist’

Prateek opened his letter describing how he qualifies to be a national since he’s taught as a municipal school teacher and has also worked as a policy implementer for various non-profit organisations. Over a period of six years, he says, he’s tried to work ‘towards reforming the education system in India.’

"Hard Work Is More Powerful Than Harvard"

Prateek went on to say that the Prime Minister’s remarks on one of the finest universities in the world were ‘startling.’ He attacked Narendra Modi by hinting that the fact that he mentioned Harvard in front of people who might have not even heard its name only proves how affected he is by the university’s finding, which go back to how demonetisation was a failure.

"Design and Implement Policies Effectively So Disasters Such as Demonetisation Can Be Avoided"

In one of the reviews of demonetisation, Harvard said that “very little of the estimated $2 trillion black money estimated to be stashed overseas has been captured” and that “demonetisation is an unusual form of digital disruption of an enforced kind.” Prateek points out that at Harvard students are made to assess the pros and cons of all the policies which could have helped demonetisation too. Towards the end of the article, Prateek also says that PM’s attack on Harvard would have left the Harvard alumni in the PMO pretty surprised too.

"A True Statesman Knows How to Respectfully Disagree and Engage With an Opposing Ideology"

Prateek also pointed out the bitter political campaigns in India which were at their peak in the 2014 General Elections and have returned as election in five states are on. Taking a dig at the PM for what a lot of his fans love him for (Prime Minister’s poetic speeches), Kanwal wrote, “Our professors always tell us that while it may be acceptable to campaign in poetry, but it is always prudent to govern in prose.” He gave the PM a piece of his mind by saying that we must learn from opposing ideologies and double think to say the least.

"Mocking Economists and Credible Academic Institutions Will Only Isolate Us From the World"

In one of the final points in his open letter, Prateek Kanwal said that PM’s digs at top-notch institutes will not help India. He mentioned how he plans to come to India on graduating, but ‘such remarks will only push us away.’

Also Read: Hard Work Better Than Harvard: Modi’s Dig at Amartya Sen Over GDP