The Twitter conversation between two education ministers on Tuesday took an interesting twist over the objection being raised to the use of the word ‘dear.’
Bihar’s education minister, Ashok Choudhary, took to Twitter to ask Union HRD Minister, Smriti Irani about the new education policy.
His tweet read, “Dear Smriti Irani ji, if you get some time off from politics and speeches, then do pay some attention to the education policy as well.”
"Dear .@smritiirani ji, कभी राजनीति और भाषण से वक़्त मिले तो शिक्षा निति की तरफ भी ध्यान दें"
— Dr. Ashok Choudhary (@AshokChoudhaary) June 14, 2016
Known for being very active on social media, Irani replied, “Ashokji, since when you started addressing women as dear.”
mahilaon ko 'dear' keh ke kab se sambodhit karne lage Ashokji ?
— Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) June 14, 2016
Choudhary decided to ‘educate’ the country’s education minister by saying that it was a basic courtesy to start an official correspondence with Dear.
Not to disrespect but educate… Professional emails start with "dear". @smritiirani Ji Kabhi mudde pe jawab dijiye, don't circle around it.
— Dr. Ashok Choudhary (@AshokChoudhaary) June 14, 2016
Irani replied stating that she expected to be addressed as ‘adarniye (Respected)’ instead.
all my communications to you or any other person start with 'adarniya' but since you are now communicating allow me 1/3
— Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) June 14, 2016
A user attempted to remind the HRD Minister that it was quite ‘common’ to address people as dear.
Instead of reflecting on her gaffe, the minister decided to slam the user by reminding how appalling his grammar was.
Grammar theek karo beta https://t.co/shpoOlnnEf
— Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) June 14, 2016
The user took the opportunity to take a dig at the minister’s questionable educational qualification.
He replied, “I must have made the mistake cuz i didn’t attend 4 Days degree program, Hope you will start it soon in India. (sic)”
I must have made the mistake cuz i didn't attend 4 Days degree program, Hope you will start it soon in India. @AshokChoudhaary
— Saral Patel (@SaralPatel) June 14, 2016
Then there were those who dug out an old tweet of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Irani’s mentor, addressing actor Deepika Padukone as ‘dear.’
“Dear @deepikapadukone lets encourage voter registration among 18-24 yr olds. Large number of them unregistered. EC drive presently underway.”
And even our PM. See.https://t.co/7EYLyFkdki
— ساحلSahil Yadav यादव (@yadav93sahil) June 14, 2016
Dear Madam @smritiirani Inse bhi jara puch lijiye! @narendramodi @AshokChoudhaary pic.twitter.com/Nym5bfML6c
— Abhishek Arjun (@ArjunINC) June 14, 2016
While one user hoped that the HRD ministry did not consider banning use of ‘dear’ from future ‘English language books.
Hope not HRD minister will tell to remove word "Dear" from English Language Books ????
— ??VIDYASINGH ?? (@vidya7281) June 14, 2016
She was also reminded about her own ‘grammar facepalm’ by this user
Grammar *facepalm* @smritiirani ji please teach this lady too in screenshot. "I'm b returning ? @PatelSaral007 pic.twitter.com/s3Ztkls3vQ
— Kanika (@nskathy) June 14, 2016
Then there were those who questioned her educational qualification.
@PatelSaral007 @AshokChoudhaary #Smriti Irani,many of your tweets are also 'Yale' type, grammatically wrong, focus on Education
— Arun Gupta (@GuptaarunArun) June 14, 2016
@PatelSaral007 @AshokChoudhaary व्याकरण हा हा हा
अब मैडम जब आप ही पढ़ी नहीं तो
हमसे कैसे उम्मीद कर सकती है
पढाई लिखाई की जी
— सिद्धार्थ भारद्वाज Siddharth Bhardwaj (@siddharthbhard) June 14, 2016
Irani clearly has caused embarrassment for herself as the use of the word ‘dear’ in any formal correspondence is reflective of respect and common courtesy.
It’s even more embarrassing for her because of her designation as someone responsible for shaping the educational policy of India.