Close X
Wednesday, January 15, 2025
ADVT 
International

Indian-Origin Socialist Teen Hasan Patel Defends Scholarship To Private UK College

Darpan News Desk IANS, 24 Jan, 2019 08:41 PM

    A socialist Indian-origin teenager has defended his scholarship to one of Britain's most well-known schools associated largely with the rich and famous as a means to tackle injustice.


    Hasan Patel, a staunch supporter of Britain's Opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn who became the youngest person to address the party's annual conference last year at the age of 15, bagged a GBP 76,000 scholarship to the prestigious Eton College in London after a series of rigorous entrance requirements.


    He was attacked on social media as a "champagne socialist" for accepting the privilege but he fought back.


    "I'm being called a ''traitor, hypocrite, selfish champagne socialist'' for accepting a scholarship to Eton College. I've worked so hard for this and you''re not going to put me down," he wrote on Twitter.


    "Instead of attacking me, why aren't we talking about the inequalities in the education system," he questioned.


    The 16-year-old, who has attracted thousands of supporters online with his anti-establishment posts using his Twitter handle @CorbynistaTeen, said the scholarship does not mean that his politics would change.


    "This is an opportunity I cannot refuse and it won''t mean my politics will change. I'll still be the same kid fighting for social justice," he said.


    Patel clinched his place at the world-famous institution, which has produced many global political leaders and is the alma mater of the likes of Princes William and Harry and former British Prime Minister David Cameron, after a tough three-day assessment, including three exams, seven interviews and a group interview.


    "I never thought when I left India that my son would end up going to the same school as English royalty. All of his family are incredibly proud. We want him to go to Oxford or Cambridge. Being at Eton he will have a very good chance," said Hasan's 69-year-old father Abdul Patel.


    Hasan, who has been enrolled at a state-funded school in the East End of London as a child, is set to study for his A-Levels in history, geography, politics and drama from September to be able to qualify for university.

    MORE International ARTICLES

    Prominent Indian Professor Dipak Jain Appointed As New Head Of Top Chinese Business School

    Prominent Indian Professor Dipak Jain Appointed As New Head Of Top Chinese Business School
    Mr Jain, 61, will take over as the European president of the Shanghai-based China Europe International Business School (CEIBS), replacing Pedro Nueno who held the position for 28 years.

    Prominent Indian Professor Dipak Jain Appointed As New Head Of Top Chinese Business School

    Thousands Sign Petition To Save Hindu School From Closure In London

    Thousands Sign Petition To Save Hindu School From Closure In London
    The Akshar Educational Trust, which runs the school set up in 1992, had announced its closure last month as part of plans to exit the education sector completely by July 2020.

    Thousands Sign Petition To Save Hindu School From Closure In London

    Hyderabad Man Brought Back From Dubai, Arrested For Killing Wife In May

    Hyderabad Man Brought Back From Dubai, Arrested For Killing Wife In May
    Akber Ali Khan was brought back here with the help of the Indian Embassy and Dubai authorities and handed over to the Police.

    Hyderabad Man Brought Back From Dubai, Arrested For Killing Wife In May

    Afghan Sikh Widows Afraid To Return For Last Rites

    Afghan Sikh Widows Afraid To Return For Last Rites
    Manmeet Kaur, 41, was having tea with her two young daughters at their rented house in old Mahavir Nagar in New Delhi when a phone call from her brother-in-law shattered her world. 

    Afghan Sikh Widows Afraid To Return For Last Rites

    Won't Return To India Till I Feel 'Safe From Unfair Prosecution': Zakir Naik

    Won't Return To India Till I Feel 'Safe From Unfair Prosecution': Zakir Naik
    Controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik, wanted by Indian agencies on charges of inciting youths to take up terror activities, on Wednesday said he will not return to India unless he was assured fair prosecution.

    Won't Return To India Till I Feel 'Safe From Unfair Prosecution': Zakir Naik

    Indian NRI Tojo Mathew Wins 7 Million Dirham Lottery Before Leaving UAE

    Indian NRI Tojo Mathew Wins 7 Million Dirham Lottery Before Leaving UAE
    An Indian man won a 7 million dirham ($1.9 million) lottery for a ticket he purchased at the Abu Dhabi International Airport just before boarding a flight for India, a media report said on Wednesday.

    Indian NRI Tojo Mathew Wins 7 Million Dirham Lottery Before Leaving UAE