Why humanities, not NEET or engineering? DU Hansraj College topper gives a fiery reply to these questions

Time of India

13-05-2025

Social media reacts
In an age where academic credentials often seem like golden tickets, one Delhi University student's honest reflection has struck a powerful chord. Bisma Fareed , a first-year Hansraj College student, recently went viral after revealing that her medals, certificates, and achievements meant little in the face of real-world internship rejections. But the story didn't end there. What followed was a storm of stereotypes—and Bisma's fearless clapback, which has reignited a national conversation around education, stream choices, and the societal lens through which we view Arts students.Bisma returned to the platform with a bold response that directly addressed the stereotype of choosing 'Arts' or ' Humanities ', which she and many others face. In her follow-up post, she sarcastically thanked the critics for making her feel like a 'deserving loser' and called out the tired questions often thrown at high-achieving Arts students: 'Why did you take up Arts if you're a topper? Why not choose a bigger course? Who even hires B.A. students?'Bisma used this moment to flip the narrative. With a mix of sarcasm and sincerity, she questioned the very foundation of these prejudices. If Humanities and B.A. courses are so 'worthless,' she asked, then why are they even part of the formal education system? Just to ridicule those who choose them? She proposed a tongue-in-cheek solution: abolish all 'chhote courses' and force everyone into science, medicine, or engineering—perhaps then the mockery would end.But beyond the sarcasm was a strong message of empowerment. Bisma reminded her readers that Arts is not a last resort, it's a valid and often intentional choice. She highlighted how Arts students develop essential skills like empathy, creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving—qualities just as crucial as technical knowledge in today's world.Her post ended with a rallying cry to fellow Arts students: never feel inferior for your choice. And for those who believe they're superior for pursuing science or engineering, she offered a reality check—society needs a balance of perspectives to grow, evolve, and thrive.Bisma Fareed's viral post drew strong support from students and professionals who resonated with her message about the stigma surrounding Arts education . One user shared how, despite excelling in computer science and robotics, they chose design because that's where their passion lay—stressing that Arts is not for the less capable but for those with courage to challenge norms.Another commenter highlighted that success isn't tied to academic streams but to individual mindset and effort, noting that even those without formal education have achieved greatness. They questioned why science students aren't scrutinised when they struggle, yet Arts students constantly have to prove their worth.A third user pointed out how Arts students often feel the need to justify their choices not only in society but also within families and friend circles. Collectively, the responses echoed a shared frustration with stereotypes and called for greater respect and recognition for all fields of study.