Trolled for facial hair, UP topper Prachi Nigam's makeover surprises

The UP Board Class 10 topper, Prachi Nigam, who secured an impressive 98.5 percent, found herself in the spotlight for unfortunate reasons. Instead of celebrating her remarkable academic achievement, she faced harsh criticism on social media for her facial hair, overshadowing her hard-earned success. In a recent interview with BBC Hindi, Prachi shared that the negative comments didn't affect her because what truly mattered to her were her grades, not her facial hair. Reflecting on the situation, she said, “If I had a few fewer marks, I would not have topped and got famous. Maybe that would have been better," as quoted by BBC News Hindi.

In an inspiring turn of events, content creator Anish Bhagatt decided to take action. He traveled to Prachi's home in Mahmudabad, Sitapur, to give her a “glow-up" makeover. Sharing his journey on Instagram, Anish expressed his admiration for Prachi's achievements. “Today, I am traveling to Mahmudabad to meet someone we should all be proud of. She topped her boards among 55 lakh students - Prachi Nigam."

Anish was disheartened that Prachi's appearance became the focal point of national attention instead of her academic triumph. “Most people could only focus on how she looks. Instead of being praised, she was bullied by the entire nation. Why do most women have to experience this in their lives? So, I decided to give her a glow-up that the whole nation deserves to see. Let’s get her to look like her best self," he added.

The makeover video showed Prachi having her nails painted, applying mascara, and straightening her hair. However, as Anish revealed her new look, it became clear that Prachi remained fundamentally unchanged, a deliberate choice to convey a powerful message. “I look the same," she said confidently.

In the end, Prachi delivered a poignant message to all women: “Dear women, don’t try to fix something that was never broken." Her words and her experience serve as a reminder that true beauty lies in self-acceptance and that achievements should be celebrated beyond superficial appearances.