The ministry of human resource and development granted the Institution of Eminence (IoE) tag to the proposed Jio Institute — to be set up by Reliance Foundation in three years — and all hell broke loose on the internet.
The outrage can be attributed, obviously, to the fact that a yet-to-exist educational institute would join an elite list that includes two Indian Institutes of Technology (Delhi and Bombay), the Indian Institute of Science, BITS Pilani and the Manipal Academy, got everyone’s goat.
And while there is a legitimate provision for such a situation (check out DailyO’s explainer), people on Twitter reacting to this news is almost more entertaining than the Football World Cup.
There is obviously the question of the academy’s existence
There is more information about Hogwarts in the public domain than there is about eminently excellent Jio University right now.
— Aditi (hot takes 4 koolkidz) (@awryaditi) July 10, 2018
Govt: Knock KnockPublic: Who’s there?Govt: Jio InstitutePublic: Jio Institute WhoGovt: 404 Page Not Found Error.#JioInstitute #AccheDin
— Amol Chavan (@iAmolChavan) July 9, 2018
Which, of course, has been correlated to the long list of unfulfilled Modi Sarkar promises
Everyday 100s of students in Ahmedabad take the Bullet train in the morning to attend their college - the JIO Institute in Bombay. The students didn't need to take an Education loan coz the heavy tuition fees was paid out of the 15L amount they rcvd last year.
— Gabbbar (@GabbbarSingh) July 9, 2018
Its not that #JioInstitute doesn't exist..Its just that we dont have enough data on Jio Institute.~ @narendramodi
— Vinay Kumar Dokania (@VinayDokania) July 9, 2018
Colonial jokes are in fashion again
Lord Macaulay & Lord Ambani planning to open a Jio Institute in India to increase the literacy amongst Bhakts. (1838) #JioInstitute pic.twitter.com/bGH60JVNIL
— History of India (@RealHistoryPic) July 9, 2018
And, of course, UNESCO certifications
Have NASA and UNESCO already certified #JioInstitute ?
— The Last Caveman (@CarDroidusMax) July 10, 2018
But what takes the cake is guessing what the college and its faculty will look like
We warmly welcome our new Vice chancellor, his Excellency Dr. Narendra Modi. pic.twitter.com/pA9i7TPYOD
— Jio lnstitute (@Jiolnstitute) July 9, 2018
Those who are insistent about the building of Jio Institute do not know the knowledge comes from reading in the open & natural environment. pic.twitter.com/iXsnoJpITd
— Jio lnstitute (@Jiolnstitute) July 10, 2018
We have many tie-ups with trained faculty from other countries for betterment of Indian students. Here is our Martial arts teacher from Canada. pic.twitter.com/NAEMxdylF9
— Jio lnstitute (@Jiolnstitute) July 10, 2018
Taxation teacher #JioInstitute pic.twitter.com/eVw8BbU1T2
— Arora Sahab (@Rajesh_Arora1) July 10, 2018
The opening lecture in the yet-to-be established JIO institute of "national eminence" would be on morality, ethics & cooperation in Indian politics delivered by Shri Amit Shah #JioInstitute #JioUniversity
— Hemant Soren (@HemantSorenJMM) July 10, 2018
Head of Communications at #JioInstitute pic.twitter.com/f5Kphe7SCK
— Aalok Vedi (@AalokVedi) July 10, 2018
Science professor of #JioInstitute pic.twitter.com/SRvLQyHsNX
— SupariMan™ (@SupariMan_) July 10, 2018
Top 20 Best Students (2019 batch) of #JioInstitute pic.twitter.com/BChKA567pW
— Irony Of India (@IronyOfIndia_) July 10, 2018
#JioInstitute Science Lab pic.twitter.com/D66vPiuhcF
— Rofl Gandhi (@RoflGandhi_) July 10, 2018
And is it really an outrage about education in India, if the “Degree Row” is set off once again?
Finally we have an institute that will offer a degree in ENTIRE POLITICAL SCIENCE. #JioInstitute
— Aisi Taisi Democracy (@AisiTaisiDemo) July 10, 2018
Can I get an Honorary Degree in Entire Political Science from Eminent & Imminent Jio Institute?
— Meghnad (@Memeghnad) July 9, 2018
But the real winner is...
Always remember. ... Much before Jio Institute, people could educate themselves from IINs (Idea Internet networks)...
— Prasanna S (@prasanna_s) July 10, 2018