Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has called for colleges and universities to implement stress management classes, aiming to bolster students’ resilience. Her remarks followed the tragic death of Anna Sebastian Perayil, a young Chartered Accountant who recently joined EY, which has drawn criticism from the opposition Congress party.
Perayil, who passed her Chartered Accountancy exams in 2023, reportedly faced overwhelming work pressure during her brief tenure at EY’s Pune office, leading to severe emotional and physical strain. Her mother described the workload as ‘backbreaking’ in a letter to EY India Chairman Rajiv Memani.
Speaking at a medical college event, Sitharaman alluded to the case, emphasising the importance of inner strength for young professionals. She suggested that educational institutions should not only focus on academic excellence but also teach values typically imparted at home. “Belief in God and good discipline can foster inner strength,” she said, advocating for the inclusion of spirituality in education.
The government has pledged to investigate the work environment at EY in light of this incident.
Meanwhile, Congress General Secretary K.C. Venugopal criticised Sitharaman’s comments as ‘outright cruel’, accusing her of victim-blaming and highlighting the systemic exploitation faced by young professionals in a competitive job market. He called for a review of corporate practices to ensure employee welfare, emphasising the need for reforms in response to such tragedies.
(with PTI inputs)