The University Grants Commission (UGC) on 1st December 2023 issued a notification to universities and colleges in the country to set up ‘Selfie Points’ in the institutions “to celebrate and disseminate the incredible strides” made by India. The aim of the ‘Selfie Point’ is to create awareness among the youth about India’s achievements in various fields, particularly the new initiatives under the NEP 2020, the notice said.

These Selfie Points will not only serve as a source of pride but also enlighten every citizen about the transformative initiatives that have propelled India’s growth on the global stage, it added. UGC also attached a folder in the notice with various approved 3D designs, shared by the Ministry of Education, which it said, “encompass a broad spectrum of national initiatives such as Ek Bharat Shreshth Bharat and major thrust areas of the New Education Policy (NEP) 2020.”

Given that all the designs have Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s image on then, the Opposition has slammed the notice. Congress Secretary Jairam Ramesh posted on X called PM Modi “selfie-obsessed and self-obsessed PM” and accused him of “leaving no stone unturned to save his flailing image.”

“First, it was Army being asked to set up selfie points. Then, he asked IAS officers and other senior govt officials to take out ‘Rath Yatras’. Now, he has directed UGC to set up selfie points in all universities,” Ramesh added.

Further, the Congress leader accused the PM of ‘hijacking’ the Chandrayaan-III landing by appearing on the live feed and also slammed him for putting “his face onto all COVID-19 vaccine certificates.”

“These are only a few examples and it reflects the man’s tremendous insecurities and the sickening sycophancy around him,” he stated, adding that the people of India are “sick and tired of this obnoxious level of self-promotion surpassed only by North Korean dictators.”

The people will give a suitable answer very soon, Jairam Ramesh said.