PM Modi interacts with Students from India & abroad during ‘Pariksha Pe Charcha 2020’

Speed Post News Network

New Delhi : PM Narendra Modi interacted with Students from India and abroad in this year’s edition of ‘Pariksha Pe Charcha 2020′ held at Talkatora Stadium, New Delhi, on January 20, 2020. Students were thrilled after receiving valuable tips from the Prime Minister on beating stress in every walk of life. Fifty Divyang students also took part in the interaction programme. The interaction, which lasted for over ninety minutes, saw students seeking guidance on various issues of importance to them from the Prime Minister.

A painting and poster making competition was held on exam related issues for CBSE & KVS school students and around 725 posters and paintings were received. Around 50 paintings were selected and exhibited before the Prime Minister during the ‘Pariksha Pe Charcha 2020’.

At the outset, the Prime Minister wished all the students a prosperous new year and a new decade. Explaining the importance of the decade, he said that the hopes and aspirations of the current decade rest on those students who are in their final years of schooling in the country. He said, “In whatever the country does in this decade, those children who are in 10th, 11th and 12th standards now have a very great role to play. To make the country reach new heights, to achieve new hopes, all this is dependent on this new generation.”

Before beginning the interaction, he said, “As Prime Minister one gets to attend numerous types of programmes. You get to learn a lot in such interactions. Each of them provides a new set of experiences. But, if someone asks me about the one programme that touches my heart the most, I would say it is this Pariksha Pe Charcha. I also love attending Hackathons.”

Replying to a question from a student about losing interest while studying, the Prime Minister said most often students get demotivated due to factors that are external to them and also as they try to attach too much significance to their own expectations. He asked the students to find out the reason for the demotivation and ponder over how to deal with it. He gave the example of the recent issue of Chandrayaan and his visit to ISRO.

“Motivation, demotivation are very common. Everyone goes through these feelings. In this regard, I can never forget my visit to ISRO during Chandrayaan and the time spent with our hardworking scientists,” the PM said. He said, “We should not look at failures as setbacks or stumbling blocks. A temporary setback doesn’t mean that we cannot succeed in life. In fact, a setback may mean that the best is yet to come.”

The Prime Minister also gave examples of how cricketers Rahul Dravid and V V S Laxman batted in difficult situations during India – Australia match in 2001 and extracted India out of claws of defeat to clinch victory for the country. He also talked about how India bowler Anil Kumble bowled to India’s glory notwithstanding his injury. “This is the power of positive motivation,”, he said.

To a question on how to balance studies and extracurricular activities, the Prime Minister said the importance of co-curricular activities in a student’s life cannot be understated. He said, “Not pursuing extra-curricular activities can make a student like a robot.” But he also said that balancing studies and extracurricular activities would require a better and optimal time management by the students.  However, he also cautioned the parents not to make the extra-curricular interests of their children a fashion statement or a calling card.

“What is not good is when the passion of the children become fashion statements for parents. Extra-curricular activities needn’t be glamour driven.” the PM said, according to a PIB release.

On a question on how to score marks at examinations and whether they are the determining factor, the Prime Minister said, “Our education system determines our success based on our performance at various exams.“ Marks are not life. Similarly examination is not the determining factor for our whole life. It is a stepping stone, an important stepping stone in life. I pray to parents not to tell them that this is everything. If it does not happen, don’t behave as if you lost everything. You can go to any field,” he said. Exams are important, but exams are not life. You should come out of this mind-set, he said.

To a question on the importance of technology and its use in education, the Prime Minister said, that while the students should keep themselves updated with the latest in technology, he also urged them to be careful of the perils of its misuse.

To a question on what are the rights of the students and on how to make the citizens aware of their duties, the Prime Minister said that an individual’s rights are embedded in his duties. Giving an example of a teacher, he said, if a teacher performs his duties then he is fulfilling the rights of the students. Referring to what the Father of the Nation opined on the issue, the Prime Minister said, “Mahatma Gandhi said that there are no fundamental rights but fundamental duties”.

On how to deal with the pressure and expectations from parents and teachers, the Prime Minister urged the parents not pressurise the students. “The way ahead lies in pursuing, not pressuring children. Inspire children to do things that bring out their inner potential,” the PM said

On a question on what is the best time to study, the Prime Minister advised that ample rest is as important as the study itself. He said, “While mind is as fresh early in the morning as the sky after rain, one should only follow that routine in which one is comfortable.”