Student: We are very excited for Pariksha Pe Charcha!

Khushi: Today, it feels as if I am living a dream.

Vaibhav: It is an immense privilege that so many children registered for the event, and we were among them.

Sai Shashtra: I watched the previous Pariksha Pe Charcha programme, which was held in an auditorium. I assumed it would be the same this time.

Ira Sharma: But this time, it’s completely different—the format has totally changed.

Akshara: This year, the programme is being held in an open space called Sunder Nursery.

Adriel Gurung: I am excited! I feel absolutely cheerful—I am very excited!

Advitiya Sadukhan: The long-awaited day has finally arrived—we get to meet the Prime Minister face-to-face!

Adriel Gurung: Today, I am here to interact with—

Lopongshai Lawai: The Prime Minister of India!

Akshara J. Nair: When PM Modi Ji arrived, everyone was filled with positivity.

All students: Namaste, Sir!

Prime Minister: Namaste! Have you all been seated separately?

Student: No, Sir!

Rituraj Nath: The moment we saw him, everyone felt a surge of positive energy.

Prime Minister: How many of these people do you recognize?

Student: Sir, almost everyone!

Prime Minister: So, did you invite them all to your home?

Student: Sir, I will definitely invite everyone!

Prime Minister: Oh, will you? You should have already invited earlier!

Akanksha Ashok: He was incredibly charming and charismatic!

Prime Minister: What do you eat on Makar Sankranti?

All students: (Til-Gud) Sesame and jaggery!

Prime Minister: There’s no rule that you can have only one—those who love it can enjoy as much as they like!

Student: When PM Sir personally handed us 'til naaru', I was delighted!

Prime Minister: So, what's the saying? Til Gud ghya, ni god-god bola!

Student: Til Gud ghya, ni god-god bola!

Prime Minister: Great!

Ananya U: When a guest visits our home, we offer them something to eat. In the same way, he offered us (the til-naaru)!

Prime Minister: What is it called in Kerala?

Student: It is called til laddu.

Prime Minister: So, they call it til laddu.

Student: It is rarely available there.

Prime Minister: Do you not get it often?

Student: No, Sir!

Prime Minister: Alright!

Student: It felt as if someone was thinking about us too.

Prime Minister: Do you feel like taking some for someone else?

Student: Sir, just one or two!

Prime Minister: Yes, that’s very thoughtful.

Student: I really liked it, Sir!

Prime Minister: Good! Take your seat. Now, tell me—which season is best for eating til (sesame) and jaggery?

Student: Winter season!

Prime Minister: And why do you eat it?

Student: It keeps the body warm.

Prime Minister: That’s right! It keeps the body warm, what do you all know about nutrition?

Student: Sir, the body requires various essential minerals

Prime Minister: But if you don’t have knowledge about it, what will you do?

Student: Actually, India is promoting millets because they are highly nutritious.

Prime Minister: How many of you have eaten millets? Almost everyone must have, even if you don’t realise it.

Student: Millets like Bajra, Ragi and Jowar!

Prime Minister: Everyone consumes them. Do you know what global status millets have received?

Student: India is the largest producer and consumer of millets.

Prime Minister: Correct! In 2023, the United Nations declared it the International Year of Millets and promoted them worldwide—this was Bharat's proposal. The Government of India strongly advocates for increased awareness about nutrition, as many diseases can be prevented through proper nutrition. Millets are referred to as superfood. So, how many of you have some form of millet in your home throughout the year?

Student: Sir, we mix wheat, jowar, and bajra into our flour!

Prime Minister: Have you noticed that we have incorporated certain rituals into our traditions? Fresh fruit of a new season is first offered to God.

Student: Yes, Sir!

Prime Minister: And we celebrate it, don’t we?

Student: Yes, Sir!

Prime Minister: This happens everywhere.

Student: Yes, Sir!

Prime Minister: And then we consume it as Prasad.

Student: Yes, Sir!

Prime Minister: This means that even God consumes seasonal fruits first, so as human beings, shouldn’t we also eat seasonal fruits?

Student: Yes, Sir! We must eat it!

Prime Minister: How many of you eat raw carrots during this season? I’m sure you all enjoy gajar ka halwa too.

Student: Yes, Sir!

Prime Minister: You must also be consuming carrot juice. DO you believe that eating certain foods is important for good nutrition?

Student: Yes, Sir!

Prime Minister: Do you think that it is also important to avoid certain foods?

Student: Yes, Sir!

Prime Minister: What should we avoid eating?

Student: Junk food!

Prime Minister: Junk food!

Student: Oily and refined flour-based foods should be avoided as they increase blood sugar levels.

Prime Minister: Yes! Well, at times, we know what to eat and what not to eat, but do we know how to eat? How many teeth do we have?

Student: 32!

Prime Minister: 32! Teachers at school often tell us, and parents at home remind us, that since we have 32 teeth, we should chew our food at least 32 times.

Student: Yes, Sir! It should be properly chewed.

Prime Minister: So, knowing how to eat is just as important.

Student: Yes, Sir!

Prime Minister: Now, how many of you eat your food without paying attention—just gulping it down, as if posting a letter in the post office? Or, if a friend is eating with you, do you ever think, 'What if he eats more than me?'

Student: That’s true! Right, Sir!

Prime Minister: And how many of you have actually tasted water while drinking it? I mean, I truly savoured its taste and enjoyed it. How many of you do this?

Student: Yes, Sir!

Prime Minister: But most of you don’t! You must be in such a rush to get to school.

Student: No, Sir! No, Sir!

Prime Minister: No, be honest—tell the truth here.

Student: Really, Sir!

Prime Minister: Just as we take small sips and savour tea, we should try drinking water in the same way. We should truly taste it. So, we have discussed how to eat and what to eat. The third important thing is when to eat.

Student: Sir, one should avoid eating pickles or salads in the evening. It is much better to eat salad in the morning.

Student: We should ideally have our meals before 7 PM. This practice is widely followed in the Jain community as well, as it aids digestion.

Prime Minister: In our country, when do farmers usually eat?

Student: In the afternoon, Sir!

Prime Minister: As far as I know, farmers eat a hearty meal at around 8 or 8:30 in the morning before heading to the fields. They work throughout the day, and if they feel hungry, they eat whatever is available in the fields. They return home around 5 or 6 in the evening and have their dinner before sunset.

But you all probably say,"I need to go play now or I have a TV show to watch or I need to check my phone!" Probably you tell your mother, "Not now, Mum! I’m not hungry yet!"

Student: No, Sir!

Prime Minister: Remember, the absence of illness does not necessarily mean we are healthy. We should assess our well-being on the scale of wellness. Our sleep patterns are also linked to our nutrition—whether we get enough sleep or, sometimes, too much of it.

Student: Sir, during exams, we tend to feel sleepier, especially when preparing for them.

Prime Minister: So, you feel drowsy during that time?

Student: Yes, Sir! And once the exams are over, sleep just disappears completely!

Prime Minister: Sleep plays a crucial role in nutrition, wellness, and overall fitness. The entire field of medical science is now focusing on sleep—how well a person sleeps, how many hours of rest they get—all these aspects are being studied in great depth. But I am sure many of you must be thinking, 'Why is the Prime Minister telling us to sleep?'

How many of you go out in the sun daily and take in natural sunlight?

Student: Sir, we soak ourselves in sunlight during the school assembly…

Prime Minister: Does anyone from Arunachal have something to add?

Student: Arunachal is the Land of the Rising Sun, so we bask in the morning sunlight every day!

Prime Minister: Everyone should make it a habit to spend a few minutes in the early morning sun—whatever time is convenient—exposing as much of the body as possible to direct sunlight for 2, 5, or even 7 minutes. It’s not just about looking at the sun on your way to school; it should be done deliberately and with purpose.

How many of you have ever tried taking at least 10 deep breaths after sunrise while standing under a tree? Breathe in as deeply as you can, to the point where you feel like you might burst—do any of you practise this regularly?

Student: Sir, not deep breathing exactly, but it does feel very relaxing.

Prime Minister: What I mean is, if you want to progress in life, nutrition is essential. What you eat, when you eat, how you eat, and why you eat—all of these matter.

Student: Yes, Sir!

Prime Minister: I remember visiting a family for a meal. One of their sons refused to eat wheat or millet. Perhaps a teacher had once told him—or he had heard somewhere—that if he ate millet or wheat rotis, his skin colour would darken. So, he only ate rice.

But it shouldn’t be like that—I hope you don't rely on ‘Google Guru’ to decide what to eat every day!

Student: No, Sir!

Prime Minister: You don’t do that, do you?

Student: No, Sir!

Prime Minister: Alright, I have been speaking for quite some time. What would you all like to say?

Student: Namaskaram, Sir! My name is Akanksha, and I am from Kerala. My question is…

Prime Minister: You speak such fluent Hindi! How is that?

Student: Because I love Hindi, Sir!

Prime Minister: Have you ever thought about why you enjoy learning Hindi so much?

Student: No, but I write poetry.

Prime Minister: Oh, wow! In that case, I must hear one of your poems first.

Student: If I remember one, I will recite it for you.

Prime Minister: That’s alright! Whatever you remember you can recite. I usually don’t remember anything at all.

Student:

इतना शोर है इन बाजारों में,

इतना शोर है इन गलियों में,

क्यों तू अपनी कलम लेकर बैठा है फिर एक गजल लिखने,

फिर उस किताब के पन्नों पर तू लिखना क्या चाहता है, ऐसा क्या है तेरे मन में,

सवालों भरे तेरे मन में एक स्याही शायद जवाब लिख रही है,

फिर क्यों तू आसमान देखता है,

ऐसा क्या है इन सितारों में, ऐसा क्या है तेरे मन में!

("There is so much noise in these markets,

There is so much noise in these streets,
Why do you sit with your pen, writing a ghazal?
What do you wish to write on the pages of that book?
What thoughts fill your mind, full of endless questions?
Perhaps the ink itself is writing the answers.
Then why do you gaze at the sky?
What do you seek in these stars?
What is it that lingers in your thoughts?")

Prime Minister: Wow! Wow! That was amazing!

Student: The interaction felt so warm and friendly—it was just like talking to our elders.

Prime Minister: So, what worries you?

Student: The pressure of exams, Sir. If we don’t score good marks, we keep telling ourselves that we must do well, because otherwise, our future will be ruined.

Prime Minister: And what do you think is the answer to that?

Student: Marks don’t define our future, Sir!

Prime Minister: So, marks don’t matter?

Student: Knowledge is what truly matters.

Prime Minister: Oh, so you are saying tuition and exams are pointless?

Student: No, Sir! I believe that exams are just a part of our journey, not our destination.

Prime Minister: But the problem is, while you all understand this, your families don’t always see it the same way.

Prime Minister: So, what will you do about it?

Student: Sir, we should focus on working hard and leave the rest to God.

Prime Minister: Akanksha, you are absolutely right. Unfortunately, this mindset has become deeply ingrained in our society that if a student doesn’t achieve a certain score in school, doesn’t do well in their 10th or 12th exams, it feels as though their entire life is at stake.

Student: Yes, Sir!

Prime Minister: And because of this, there is so much pressure—pressure in the home, pressure in the family—constant tension!

Student: Yes, Sir!

Prime Minister: So, you’re saying you can’t make your parents understand? There are only two months left until your exams, and if your mother starts giving you advice, you feel like telling her, 'Mum, not another lecture!' But you can’t say that, can you? You have to prepare yourself.

This means there is pressure on you—everyone around you keeps saying, Do this! Do that! Does it feel that way?

Student: Yes, Sir!

Prime Minister: How many of you watch cricket on TV whenever there’s a match? How many of you?

Student: Sir, all of us! Yes, Sir!

Prime Minister: You must have noticed that whenever a match is being played, the stadium erupts with noise.

Student: Yes, Sir!

Prime Minister: What sounds do you hear?

Student: Sir, the entire crowd cheers!

Prime Minister: Some shout Sixer! Sixer! while others call out Four!

Student: Yes, Sir! Some call for a six!

Prime Minister: Now, tell me, what does the batsman do? Does he listen to the crowd, or does he focus on the ball?

Student: He focuses on the ball.

Prime Minister: Exactly! If he starts thinking, 'Oh, they’re shouting for a six, I should hit a six!'—what will happen?

Student: He’ll lose his wicket!

Prime Minister: That’s right! This means the batsman does not let the pressure affect him.

Student: Yes, Sir!

Prime Minister: His entire focus remains on the ball. Similarly, if you don’t let pressure get to you and concentrate solely on your studies—'Today, I have decided to study this much, and I will stick to it!'—then you will easily free yourself from that pressure.

Student: Sir answered our questions so well! He explained to us how not to take exam stress and taught us so much.

Student: If you are clear about your goal, then no distractions or obstacles can stop you. You should always stay self-motivated.

Student: He said, Whatever the stress may be, just embrace it openly—but don’t dwell on it!

Prime Minister: One must always hold oneself accountable.

Student: Yes, Sir!

Prime Minister: One should keep challenging oneself constantly.

Student: Yes, Sir!

Prime Minister: If you scored 30 marks last time, aim for 35 this time. Challenge yourself! Many people don’t fight their own battles. Have you ever made up your mind to fight your own battles?

Student: Yes, Sir!

Prime Minister: If you want to challenge yourself, you must first get to know yourself.

Student: Yes, Sir!

Prime Minister: Have you ever asked yourself, "What can I become in life? What am I capable of doing? What would truly bring me satisfaction?" You should ask yourself these questions frequently.

It shouldn’t be like reading something in the newspaper one morning and deciding, Oh, this seems interesting!—and then the next day, seeing something on TV and thinking, That looks good too! You must gradually fix your mind on a goal.

Most people tend to get distracted easily, and their minds keep wandering.

Student: That leads to destruction.

Prime Minister: Exactly! Only when you have clarity can you decide what challenge to take on next. Will you try?

Student: Yes, Sir!

Student: PM Sir, I have a question for you! You are such a prominent global leader, and you have held many important positions. Could you share two or three leadership lessons that would be valuable for us children as we move forward in life?

Prime Minister: Viraj!

Student: Yes, Sir!

Prime Minister: It’s impossible for a boy from Bihar not to have any questions about politics! People from Bihar are exceptionally intelligent. Does anyone else think about the topic of leadership?

Student: Yes, Sir! I think about it too. But how do I explain it?

Prime Minister: Explain it however you like.

Student: Sometimes, when the teacher appoints us as class monitors or assigns us to maintain discipline, the students don’t always listen. There has to be a way to make them understand. We can’t just order them to Sit down! Sit down! or threaten to write their names down. That would only make them even noisier. So, is there a better way to get them to listen and maintain discipline?

Prime Minister: Are you from Haryana?

Student: No, Sir! I’m from Punjab—Chandigarh!

Prime Minister: Chandigarh!

Student: Yes, Sir!

Prime Minister: Leadership is not about wearing a kurta-pyjama, putting on a jacket, and delivering grand speeches on big stages. In a group like yours, some of you naturally emerge as leaders. No one formally appoints them, yet when they say 'Let’s go', others follow. Leadership happens organically.

It’s not about correcting others—it’s about setting an example yourself.

For instance, if you are a monitor and you arrive late but expect everyone else to be on time, will they listen to you?

Student: No, Sir!

Prime Minister: If homework needs to be completed and the monitor has already done theirs, others will feel motivated. If the monitor tells a classmate, 'Your homework isn’t done? Alright, let me help you—come on!', that sets an example.

Student: Yes, Sir!

Prime Minister: Instead of letting the teacher scold someone, step in and offer help. When you support others and understand their difficulties—when you ask someone, 'Hey, you look unwell today. Do you have a fever? Didn’t you sleep well last night?'—they start feeling that the monitor genuinely cares for them, rather than just enforcing rules.

You cannot demand respect…

Student: Yes, Sir!

Prime Minister: …Will have to command you!

Student: Yes, Sir! Yes, Sir!

Prime Minister: But how does one achieve that?

Student: By changing oneself first!

Prime Minister: Absolutely! We must change ourselves.

Student: People will recognise it through our behaviour.

Prime Minister: Correct! Your behaviour will naturally influence others.

Student: Yes, Sir!

Prime Minister: Leadership cannot be imposed. Are the people around you accepting you? If you merely bombard them with knowledge, they won’t. People accept you based on your actions, not just your words.

For example, if you give a speech on cleanliness but don’t practise it yourself…

Student: Yes, Sir!

Prime Minister: …Then you cannot become a leader.

Student: Yes, Sir!

Prime Minister: To be a leader, you must learn teamwork. Patience is essential. Often, when we delegate a task and someone fails to complete it, we immediately react harshly.

Student: Yes, Sir!

Prime Minister: We end up questioning them—Why didn’t you do it?—and that’s not how leadership works.

Student: Yes, Sir!

Prime Minister: If someone struggles with a task, understand their difficulties. If resources are lacking somewhere, a true leader ensures they are provided where needed.

Student: Yes, Sir!

Prime Minister: As a leader, you must always be there for your team. If they face a problem, you should be the first to reach out. By doing so, their confidence in you will grow. Eventually, they will feel that they did it on their own—even if, in reality, you helped them 80%.

Student: Yes, Sir!

Prime Minister: But that feeling of 'I did it' will boost their confidence, and this confidence strengthens your leadership.

You might have heard this childhood story—A child and his father were at a fair. The father told the child, Hold my hand! But the child replied, No, you hold my hand!

At first, one might think, What kind of son is this, asking his father to hold his hand instead of the other way around? But then the child explained:

Father, if I hold your hand, it might slip away at any moment… but if you hold mine, I know you’ll never let go.

Student: Yes, Sir!

Prime Minister: That trust—that unwavering faith—is one of the greatest strengths of leadership, isn’t it?

Student: I am Pritam Das, a class 12 student from PMC Arya Higher Secondary School, Tripura…

Prime Minister: From where?

Student: Belonia, South Tripura District!

Prime Minister: So, how did you get here?

Student: It was my passion, Sir. I wanted to meet you, to learn something, to understand something—that's all!

Prime Minister: How were you selected? Did you have to pay a bribe?

Student: No, Sir!

Prime Minister: Then how did it happen?

Student: Sir, bribery doesn’t work in Tripura.

Prime Minister: It doesn’t?

Student: I have come here to represent my state and to express my thoughts to you.

Prime Minister: Alright, I will share what’s on my mind, and you can speak from your heart.

Student: Sir, I have a question for you. During our board years, in 10th class or 12th class, whatever hobbies or extracurricular activities we enjoy—such as dancing, gardening, or painting—our families often discourage them. They say these pursuits won’t be of any use. Even after the board exams, they insist that we must focus only on studies and our careers. They believe there is no future in these activities and that the only way to succeed is through academics.

Prime Minister: So, you know how to dance?

Student: Yes, Sir! However, I wasn’t taught from childhood because in our village, when boys dance, people interpret it differently.

Prime Minister: Show me how it’s done!

Student: Like this… and this! There’s also the Bengali 'Dhunuchi' dance, which goes like this… and then another one like this.

Prime Minister: Well, how do you feel when you dance?

Student: It brings me inner happiness and satisfaction.

Prime Minister: Do you feel exhausted afterwards, or does it take away your fatigue?

Student: No, Sir, the tiredness disappears.

Prime Minister: That means you should explain to your parents and ask them that if someone remains stressed all day, will they have a good day?

Student: No, Sir.

Prime Minister: Don’t you think we should take some time to relax? Imagine you have a pet dog at home—one you love dearly and have raised since childhood. Now, when you reach 10th class, your parents suddenly tell you, Don’t spend time with the dog anymore. We’ll take care of it, and you should focus on your studies. Would that make studying easier for you, or would it leave you restless?

Student: It would make me restless.

Prime Minister: Exactly! So, you are absolutely right—it should be explained that we cannot live like robots. We are human beings. After all, why do we study? To move forward to the next stage in life.

Student: Yes, Sir!

Prime Minister: We study for our overall development at every level. When you were in Shishu Mandir, you must have been given various activities. At that time, you might have wondered, Why are they making us work so hard? Why are they teaching us about flowers? I don’t want to become a gardener!

This is why I always tell students, their families, and their teachers that if you confine children within four walls and imprison them with books, they will never truly grow. They need the open sky. They need space to explore their interests. If they pursue their passions wholeheartedly, they will also excel in their studies.

Exams are not everything in life. One shouldn’t live with that mindset. If you can understand this, I’m sure you can convince your family and even your teachers.

Prime Minister: Vaibhav, what is your experience?

Student: Sir, you’re right. When people are forced to focus only on studies, they lose interest. But in us…

Prime Minister: Yes?

Student: If you become a bookworm, you won’t truly experience life!

Prime Minister: So, should we move beyond just books?

Student: We should read books because they contain vast knowledge, but we must also make time for ourselves.

Prime Minister: I am not saying that one shouldn’t read books. On the contrary, one should read extensively and gain as much knowledge as possible. However, exams are not everything. Knowledge and exams are two different things.

Student: Yes, Sir!

Prime Minister: They are completely separate.

Student: He has taught us so much—so much about life. He has shown us how to handle exam stress, how to keep pressure at bay, and how to approach exams with the right mindset. He has guided us in all these aspects.

Student: He is incredibly positive, and he has instilled that positivity in us as well.

Student: He is empowering every generation.

Student: Everything he has told us today—I will try my best to apply it in my life!

Prime Minister: Sit down! Yes, yes—let the next student come forward and ask their question.

Student: Namaskar, Sir! My name is Preeti Biswal. I have observed in my class that there are many students who are extremely talented and hardworking, yet they do not achieve the success they deserve. What advice would you give them?

Prime Minister: Advice shouldn’t simply be given—please sit down!

Prime Minister: If I give you advice, you might immediately start thinking,"Why did he say this to me? What did he mean? Does he see a flaw in me?"

Student: Yes, Sir!

Prime Minister: This means that a person's mentality becomes 'difficulty oriented' which makes it difficult to truly support a partner. Instead, rather than focusing on shortcomings, it is far more effective to identify the good qualities in them.

If you observe someone for five to seven days, you will surely notice something positive—perhaps they sing well, dress neatly, or have some other admirable trait. Once you recognise this, start a conversation about it. When you acknowledge their strengths, they will feel that you genuinely take an interest in them and appreciate their abilities.

Then, if you say, "My friend, you work so hard, but what happens during the exam? Why do you struggle?", they might respond, "I’m not good at it. I don’t know why that happens".

At that moment, you can encourage them: "Come to my house; let’s study together".

Also, you must have noticed that most teachers teach throughout the year, but when exam time approaches, they simply tell students to write down the question-and-answer sets.

Student: Yes, Sir!

Prime Minister: My belief has always been that no matter what age you are, you should develop the habit of writing. Those who write poems, like how Viraj and Akanksha recited their poems, are actually capturing and structuring their thoughts. I remember meeting some school authorities in Ahmedabad. A child's parents had written a letter to me, saying their child was being expelled from school. I asked them, "Why are you expelling him?" They replied that the child wasn’t paying attention. Interestingly, the school started a tinkering lab later, and surprisingly, that same child spent most of his time in the tinkering lab. There was a robotics competition, and the school team won first place. Why? Because that child built the robot! The very child they were about to expel turned out to be the best in robotics. This means he had a special talent. A teacher’s job is to identify and nurture that talent. Let me share an experiment with you—will you do it today, for sure?

Students: Yes, we will! Definitely!

Prime Minister: Think about all your friends from childhood until now—about 25 to 30 of them. Try to write down their full names, including their fathers’ names. Maybe you'll manage 10. Then, write down their fathers', mothers', and other family members' names. You may realize the number gets even smaller. This shows that even with people you consider good friends, you know very little about them. Everything is just superficial. Now ask yourself an important question: "I’ve been with Vaibhav for three days, but can I list a specific good quality about him?" If you develop this habit, you’ll naturally start finding positive aspects in everything. I believe this will be beneficial to you.

Student: Sir, my question is this: as exams approach, students start feeling the pressure to study as much as possible and perform their best. In that phase, eating, sleeping, and daily routines get disturbed. Sir, you manage your day so productively. Sir, what advice would you give students on managing their entire day and studies efficiently?

Prime Minister: First of all, everyone has 24 hours, right?

Student: Yes, Sir!

Prime Minister: You know that, right?

Student: Yes, Sir!

Prime Minister: Some people do amazing work within 24 hours, while others feel they've accomplished nothing despite spending the entire day.

Student: Yes, Sir!

Prime Minister: The main issue is that they lack proper management and understanding of how to use their time.

Student: Right!

Prime Minister: If a friend drops by, they waste time chatting.

Student: Yes, Sir!

Prime Minister: If a phone call comes, they're glued to it, without any idea of how to utilize their time efficiently. The first thing to do is to think about our time—how can we make the best use of it? I am always vigilant about my time and never let it go to waste. This doesn’t mean I'm constantly running from one task to the next. I plan my tasks on paper according to time management and then review whether I accomplished them or not. Make a list of three things you want to complete tomorrow—do those three things no matter what. Then, the next day, check whether you did them or not. What often happens is that we spend more time on subjects we like and completely ignore the ones we dislike.

Student: Yes, Sir! That's true!

Prime Minister: First, you should reverse this approach.

Student: Yes, Sir!

Prime Minister: Challenge yourself. Think, "What's with this geography? Why isn't it cooperating with me? I'll defeat it." Develop a determination to conquer it. Be it mathematics—"Come on, let's have a face-off. I'm ready for the battle." Foster a winning mindset—never give up or bow down.

Student: Everyone has 24 hours, but some people are very productive while others waste it chatting, as you said. So we need proper time management to complete tasks on time and remain productive throughout the day.

Student: Sir, first of all, since you gave a great answer, we would like to clap for you, but with a twist called "flower clapping."

Prime Minister: Do you know why this is done?

Student: Sir, this is for disabled people who can't hear.

Prime Minister: They immediately show their appreciation like this by waving their hands.

Student: Sir, many ideas, possibilities, and questions keep coming to our minds. These cause distractions during exams. So Sir, how can we calm our minds in such situations?

Prime Minister: See, I don’t believe you get disturbed.

Student: Sir, a little bit happens, because...

Prime Minister: I don’t think you get truly disturbed.

Student: Sir, distractions do happen a little.

Prime Minister: I can see your confidence level. Ever since I’ve observed you this morning, your confidence has been remarkable.

Student: But still, Sir, one thing is for sure that exams are tough...

Prime Minister: That means you don’t fully know yourself. Maybe you just feel it’s better to say in front of friends, "Yeah, it’s tough." Tenth-grade students often talk like this with each other—"I couldn’t study yesterday, I felt sleepy," or "My mood wasn’t right yesterday." They even say such things over the phone with friends.

Student: Yes!

Prime Minister: Then how will you focus?

Prime Minister: What’s the most valuable thing?

Student: Right now, the present moment!

Prime Minister: If the present moment passes, it becomes the past, which is no longer in your hands. But if you truly live it...

Student: Yes, Sir!

Prime Minister: Then it becomes part of your life. But when can you live it? Look, the breeze is blowing so nicely right now. But did you even notice it? There’s a beautiful fountain too. When I mention it, you might suddenly realize, "Oh yeah..."

Student: Yes, Sir!

Prime Minister: The breeze was there earlier too.

Student: Yes, Sir!

Prime Minister: But you didn’t notice it.

Student: Yes, Sir!

Prime Minister: Your mind was somewhere else.

Student: Yes, Sir!

Student: My question is, Sir, that these days students often experience depression and anxiety while studying. How can we overcome this, Sir?

Prime Minister: Where does this problem start? Gradually, you'll notice changes—you don't enjoy conversations at home. Earlier, you used to chat a lot with your younger brother.

Student: Yes, Sir!

Prime Minister: Now it feels like he's bothering you—"Go away, leave me alone." Earlier, you'd come running back from school and excitedly tell your mom everything that happened at school.

Student: Yes, Sir!

Prime Minister: And now you don’t share things with your mom—just dismiss it, "Forget it." You come home, pick up a book for a while, then leave it. This kind of behaviour gradually isolates you. Slowly, you shrink into yourself, and eventually, this can lead to depression. You should try to openly share the doubts or dilemmas in your mind without hesitation. If you don’t express them and keep bottling everything inside, it will eventually lead to a big explosion. Earlier, our social structure had a great advantage. The family itself was like a university. Sometimes you would openly talk to your grandfather, sometimes to your grandmother, sometimes your uncle, aunt, elder siblings, or even a sister-in-law—there was always someone to share with. It's like the whistle of a pressure cooker...

Student: Yes, Sir!

Prime Minister: The pressure cooker doesn’t explode.

Student: Yes, Sir!

Prime Minister: Similarly, this is like the pressure you feel.

Student: Yes, Sir!

Prime Minister: And then, while talking casually, your grandfather would say, "No, son, don't do that."

Student: Yes, Sir!

Prime Minister: And we'd feel okay and think, "Yeah, I won't do that." Then your grandfather or uncle might say, "Careful, you'll fall," and it felt reassuring.

Student: Yes, Sir!

Prime Minister: It is human nature to seek care and attention. If I just came here and delivered a long speech, you'd probably think, "Who does this Prime Minister think he is?" But instead, I genuinely want to hear your songs, your thoughts, and learn about your village. That makes you feel, "He's just like us. Let's have a conversation." And then there's no pressure, right? One of the biggest causes of depression is the lack of genuine care. Secondly, in earlier times, teachers were deeply invested in students. I remember when I was a student, my teachers worked so hard for me, even though my handwriting was terrible. They genuinely tried to improve it. They probably ended up improving their handwriting more than mine! (laughs) But their efforts touched my heart—they truly cared.

Student: Sir, I have one last question.

Prime Minister: Yes, go ahead!

Student: Due to parental pressure, many students are forced into careers or streams they have no interest in. How can such students pursue their passions without hurting their parents' feelings?

Prime Minister: Parents often have certain expectations, but it's not like they will be permanently hurt if those aren't met. Their hopes usually come from a desire to see their child excel. Sometimes, it's not even their own thoughts—they compare their children with others. For instance, "My nephew has achieved so much; why isn't my child doing the same?"

Student: Yes, Sir!

Prime Minister: Their social status often becomes a hurdle for them.

Student: Yes, Sir!

Prime Minister: So, my advice to parents is this—please don’t turn your child into a model to showcase everywhere. Love your child for who they are and accept their unique strengths. There's no person in the world without a special talent. As I mentioned earlier, the child who was almost expelled from school ended up becoming number one in building robots. Some children excel in sports rather than academics. Take Sachin Tendulkar, one of the biggest names in cricket. He himself has admitted that studies were never his interest. But his parents and teachers recognized his potential, and that changed his life. Someone once asked me, "If you weren't the Prime Minister, or even a Minister, and were asked to choose a department, which one would you prefer?" I answered, "I would choose the Skill Development Department."

Student: Yes, Sir!

Prime Minister: Skills have immense power. We should focus on developing skills. If a child isn't excelling in studies, they will surely have strength in some other area. Parents need to identify that and guide their children accordingly. That will reduce unnecessary pressure.

Student: PM Modi also gave an important message to parents that they should not pressurise their children. Children should learn from their parents, and parents should understand their children. There should be mutual understanding.

Prime Minister: Let's move closer; you're all sitting quite far apart. We'll do a little meditation.

Student: Yes, Sir!

Prime Minister: In simple terms, what would you call meditation in our language?

Student: Concentrating your mind.

Prime Minister: Exactly. Now listen to the sound of that fountain for a moment. Can you hear any melody in it?

Student: What struck me the most was when PM Sir guided us through meditation, especially when he asked us to observe the fountain and reflect on our thoughts. That was truly insightful.

Prime Minister: Did you hear the birds chirping?

Student: Yes, Sir!

Prime Minister: How did it feel?

Student: It felt amazing, Sir!

Prime Minister: There must have been five different sounds at the same time. Did you ever try to identify which sound came from where and from which bird? If you did that, your focus would naturally sharpen. You would connect yourself with the strength of those sounds. Just like Vaibhav asked me earlier about anxiety—what’s the solution? Breathing!

Student: Sir, Pranayam!

Prime Minister: Exactly!

Prime Minister: Yes, Pranayam is really effective. It generates a different type of energy. When you breathe, imagine cool air entering your body and warm air exiting. Have you ever checked which nostril you are breathing through?

Student: Right!

Prime Minister: Both nostrils aren’t always active at the same time. One might feel left out! Suppose you want to switch from the right nostril to the left—can you simply command it to switch?

Student: No!

Prime Minister: There's a technique for that. If your right nostril is active, bite lightly on your left side and press gently on your right cheek with your finger. You'll notice that gradually, breathing shifts to the left nostril.

Student: Yes, Sir!

Prime Minister: Within five seconds, you gain control over your body.

Student: Yes, Sir!

Prime Minister: Ideally, both nostrils should be balanced. Even when teachers at school tell you to sit properly with your hands folded, do this and try breathing—you'll notice both nostrils becoming active.

Student: Yes, Sir! Absolutely!

Prime Minister: I'm saying this works, and you're experiencing it for real!

Student: Yes, Sir, it's truly working!

Student: Sir taught us how to meditate and control our breathing. We felt very good and all our stress is over now.

Student: He taught us how to meditate? As a result, we keep our mind stress-free. He also told us how can we control our breathing. We should not take too much stress, and whatever stress we have, we should enjoy life without overthinking it.

Prime Minister: That’s great! Come closer, everyone! Today, this is our own Gurukul!

Student: Sir, we also did laughter therapy in the morning.

Prime Minister: Oh, wow! Who laughed the most?

Student: Sir, all of us!

Prime Minister: What did they teach? Show me how you did it!

Student: Ha-ha! Ho-ho! Ha-ha! Ho-ho! Ha-ha! Ho-ho! Ha-ha! Ho-ho!

Prime Minister: When you go back home and make your family do this, what will they say — that you've gone crazy after coming here! But do one thing — gather everyone and make them do it together. There’s a unique power in this joy. You'll see a difference in just three days; the whole atmosphere at home will change.

Student: We thought it would be like last time, where Prime Minister Sir would be on the stage, and the rest of us would be sitting below. But today, it wasn’t like that at all. He was talking just like a friend. We didn’t feel like the Prime Minister of India was here at all.

Student: My name is Yukta Mukhi, Sir!
Prime Minister: Where are you from, dear?
Student: Chhattisgarh!
Prime Minister: Chhattisgarh!

Student: Sir, I want to ask how we can stay happy with small victories. I tend to become very negative about everything.
Prime Minister: Is it because you think negatively yourself, or do others make you feel that way?
Student: I expected 95% in my 10th grade exams but got 93%. I became very depressed over those 2% marks.
Prime Minister: Look, dear, I consider that a success. Your target should be within reach but just beyond your grasp. First, I congratulate you for setting a target 2 points higher than your actual score. That’s not a bad thing. If you set a target of 97 next time and score 95, you should be proud. The key is that you believed in yourself by setting that target at 95 instead of 97, 99, or 100. You can always choose to see the same situation differently and positively.

Student: Sir, during examination time, many students feel scared of board exams, and they don't take care of their health afterward.

Prime Minister: The main reason for this problem lies less with students and more with their families. A child may want to be an artist because he is good at drawing, but the family insists he must become an engineer or a doctor.

Student: Yes, Sir.

Prime Minister: This keeps the child in constant stress. My first request to parents is to try to understand their children, their interests, and capabilities. Monitor what they do according to their capabilities. If possible, support them. If your child shows an interest in sports, take them to watch a game; he will get motivated. Second, teachers often create an environment in schools where only the top students get attention and praise. The rest are ignored or told to sit at the back, which makes them feel depressed. My request to teachers is to avoid comparisons between students. Don’t criticise him among the students. If you want to say something, take him aside. Encourage each one individually with positive reinforcement. “You are very good. You put in good efforts. But you need to concentrate on this.” Students also need to think, "I’ll work hard, improve my results, and do better than last time. I will try to do better than my friends." But remember, exams are not everything. Since I’ve been observing you, it seems like you're lost in your own world. You are not opening up and connecting freely!

Student: As a senior student in my school, I often motivate my juniors for their exams or cultural and literary competitions. But sometimes, I feel unable to motivate myself.

Prime Minister: Never isolate yourself or over think on your own. It seems you think a lot about yourself but don't share your feelings with anyone. You need someone to motivate you—maybe a family member or a senior. Also, challenge yourself with small goals. For example, I decided to cycle 10 kilometers today. Even if it's through the mountains of Arunachal Pradesh, once you complete it, spend the entire day enjoying the thought, "Look, I accomplished this today." Such small experiments with yourself help build self-confidence. Always work on defeating your past self—live in the present so fully that your past feels outdone.

Student: He mentioned that having self-goals is very important. You must stay motivated, and there are many ways to do that. For instance, set small, achievable goals for yourself, and when you achieve them, always reward yourself. This approach motivated me in many ways.

Student: Sir, who is your motivator?

Prime Minister: My motivators are all of you. For instance, Ajay wrote a song about Pariksha Pe Charcha. Even though I wrote the book, there's someone like Ajay, sitting in his village, expressing it through poetry. That inspires me to do even more. If we look around us, there are so many sources of motivation.

Student: It involves deep reflection and assimilation — listening to something, understanding it, and truly internalizing it. However, I am unable to do it.

Prime Minister: You heard something, then reflected on it—what exactly did you reflect upon? On their words, their message? For example, if someone advises you to wake up early in the morning, you may think about the benefits of waking up early. But then, if you go back to sleep without implementing it, have you truly internalized the advice? Internalization happens only when you treat yourself like a laboratory and try to reshape your habits. Most people don’t compete with them, they compete with others, often those weaker than themselves, and derive false satisfaction. They say, “Look, he got 30 marks; he worked hard, and I got 35!” But those who compete with themselves never lose confidence.

Student: There is a person who has become a guiding light for the world. There is a person who turns his struggles into strength and tirelessly works day and night for the happiness of others. There is a person who, as our Prime Minister, inspires us, advises us, and fills us with joy through his interactions. That beloved person is none other than Shri Narendra Modi ji. Thank you, Sir!

Prime Minister: Thank you, dear! Thank you!

Student: Sir, my question is, whenever I go to take an exam, I always worry while writing that if I fail, what will the consequences be? How can we avoid the fear of failure?

Prime Minister: In school, in 10th or 12th grade, about 30-40% of students fail. What happens to them?

Student: They try again.

Prime Minister: And what if they fail again?

Prime Minister: See, life doesn't stop there. You have to decide whether you want to succeed only in exams or succeed in life. One way to succeed in life is to make your failures your teacher. You know how in cricket matches, players review the entire day's footage, watch their mistakes, and decide what improvements to make? Can you do the same with your failures and learn from them? Secondly, life is not just about exams. It should be seen in its totality. Observe the lives of ‘Divyang’ (differently-abled) individuals closely. God may not have given them certain things, but God often compensates by granting them extraordinary abilities that become their strength. Similarly, within all of us, God has placed both shortcomings and unique qualities.

Student: Yes, Sir!

Prime Minister: Focus on how to enhance those unique qualities within you. Then, no one will ask about your degree, where you studied, or how many marks you scored in the tenth grade. What should matter — that your marks speak or your life speaks?

Student: Life, sir!

Prime Minister: So, life should speak.

Student: I am Ajay from Arohi Model Senior Secondary School. Technology has advanced a lot these days, but sometimes we overuse it. Sir, I would like your guidance on how we can make the best use of technology.

Prime Minister: First of all, we are all fortunate, and you are especially fortunate because you are growing up in an era where technology is so widespread, impactful, and useful. There's no need to run away from technology. However, you need to decide — are you just watching endless reels without direction, or are you genuinely interested in something? If so, delve deeper into it and analyse it. Then technology will become a strength, not a storm to fear. It is not a cyclone which will uproot you. Think of the people doing research and innovation — they are working for your betterment. Our goal should be to understand, learn, and make optimal use of technology.

Student: Sir, I have a question. How can we give our best to any task?

Prime Minister: We must consistently strive to do our best, and the first rule of giving our best is doing better than yesterday.

Student: Sir, our families often suggest what we should do, like which stream to choose or what subject to pursue. Should we follow their advice or listen to ourselves?

Prime Minister: You should listen to them and then convince them. When they suggest something, agree respectfully and ask them how to proceed, where to get the required information, and what help they can provide. Then, gently share your thoughts and ideas. Gradually, they will also start applying their minds and understand your perspective.

Student: Thank you so much for listening to my question, answering it, and teaching me many valuable lessons, such as staying calm and maintaining positivity without letting negative thoughts enter the mind. It was a wonderful experience. Thank you so much!

Student: Nowadays, many students face a problem during exams where they can't complete their paper on time, leading to stress and pressure. Sir, how can they deal with such pressure and situations?

Prime Minister: The first solution is to practice thoroughly with previous exam papers. If you practice well, you'll learn to write concise answers, saving time. Then, prioritize the questions during the exam. Initially, focus on the ones you know well, then move to moderate ones, and finally, attempt the challenging ones. If a question doesn't work out, it's okay to skip it. One mistake students often make is spending too much time on what they don't know, leaving less time for the ones they do. Sometimes, if they know the answer, they write a very long answer and spend considerable time. The solution to this problem is to do more practice.

Student: I am a tenth-grade student at PVR Balika Angati Pathshala. I am from Andhra Pradesh. It is a matter of great fortune for us to be in this beautiful area with you. I would like to ask you a question: We have been reading in our books about the changing climatic conditions. What can we do about it?

Prime Minister: You have asked a very good question, and I am pleased to see that the children of my country are also concerned about the climate. In most parts of the world, development has led to a culture of consumerism — a mindset that everything exists for one’s personal pleasure. If someone wants good furniture, they won't hesitate to cut down a 200-year-old tree. If they desire constant electricity, they will burn as much coal as necessary to keep the lights on 24/7. This has caused massive destruction of nature. Our culture is not about exploiting nature.

I have a mission called LiFE - Lifestyle for Environment. I emphasize that our lifestyle should protect and nurture nature. In our culture, parents teach their children to apologize to Mother Earth before stepping on the ground in the morning, acknowledging the disturbance caused to her. We worship trees, celebrate festivals around them, and consider rivers as mothers. These values should fill us with pride. India is currently running a significant campaign called ‘Ek Ped Maa ke Naam’ — a tribute to two mothers: one who gave us birth and the other who provides us with life. Plant a tree in your mother's memory and care for it as a living reminder of her. This tree should grow at any cost. We should care for it. What will happen? People will plant trees on a large scale. This sense of responsibility and ownership will help protect nature on a large scale.

Student: Nature is an important part of our lives. We should engage with trees, as they benefit us in many ways. We must promote nature.

Prime Minister: Looks like everyone is ready to plant their trees! Go ahead and plant them. Let me share a tip for watering trees. You can place a clay pot filled with water next to the tree. This way, you only need to refill it once a month, and the tree will grow well with minimal water usage. It's a practical method that can be applied anywhere. Congratulations to everyone!

Student: Thank you, Sir!

Student: Sir, thank you so much for being here and giving us this wonderful opportunity.

Prime Minister: So, what stood out the most for you today?

Student: The discussion about the environment, Sir!

Prime Minister: The environment topic!

Student: Yes, Sir! You truly inspire us. This entire day will remain memorable, and exams no longer seem stressful to us.

Prime Minister: No stress about exams anymore, even if the marks turn out to be lower?

Student: You've said it right, Sir — being successful in life is what truly matters.

Student: Sir, now exams will start fearing us instead!

Prime Minister: Great! Thank you all very much!

Student: Thank you, Sir!

Prime Minister: And now, don't start bossing around at home. Remember, we have a direct connection now! Don't scare your teachers either!

Student: No, Sir! Bye, Sir!

 

DISCLAIMER: This is the approximate translation of PM’s interaction with students, Original interaction was in Hindi.

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MJPS/VJ

 

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