Pariksha Pe Charcha 2.0: PM discusses exam stress, time management; complete Q&A here!

Narendra Modi addressed the second edition of 'Pariksha Pe Charcha 2.0' on Tuesday afternoon at Talkatora Stadium in New Delhi.

I am here to feel and be one amongst you all, PM Modi told students.

Pariksha Pe Charcha 2.0: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the second edition of 'Pariksha Pe Charcha 2.0' on Tuesday afternoon at Talkatora Stadium in New Delhi. Speaking to around 2,000 students, teachers and parents from across the country, PM Modi started his interaction by saying that he was not present at the event to give any advice to students or parents. “I am not here to give advice to teachers, parents or students. But I am here to feel and be one amongst you all,” PM Modi said. The interaction with PM Modi and students revolved largely around issues related to the country’s examination system and the stress related to it. The event was also graced by other Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders including Union HRD Minister Prakash Javdekar and others. Here are some interesting questions asked by students, teachers and parents at the second edition of Pariksha Pe Charcha 2.0 programme: Teacher: What teachers should tell parents who are stressed about the exams of their children and have unreal expectations? PM Modi: I can’t say- do not be totally relaxed before an exam. But, ask yourselves if this an exam of your life or is it just an exam for a particular grade like Class X or XII? Once you know the answer to this, your pressure will reduce. I would request parents- do not expect your children to fulfil your unfulfilled dreams. Every child has his or her own potential and strengths...it is important to understand these positives of every child. Parent: My son is in Class IX. Earlier he was good in studies but now he is too distracted by online games. What shall we do? PM Modi: I will not say exposure to technology is a bad thing for students. It is good students are getting acquainted with new technology. Technology should lead to the expansion of the mind and as a means to innovate. The PlayStation is good but never forget the playing field. Student: High expectation of parents for better results PM Modi: Society should be aspirational, not negative. If people have expectations from us, it shows that they have some trust in us. We have to make ourselves capable, not get bogged down by expectations. We must take it positively. I hope parents do not make the report card of their children their own visiting cards because if that is the aim then the expectations from children become unreal. Students: How to stay calm and composed during examination and how to avoid stress? PM Modi: Exams are important in life, but one should not be stressed by it. Now or never, should not be the only motto in life. Ask yourselves if this an exam of your life or is it just an exam for a particular grade like Class 10 or 12? Once you know the answer to this, your pressure will reduce. Student: How and what to aim as a student? PM Modi: While aiming big in life is good, but don't get so carried away by it that your dreams remain dreams, and you become too old just thinking about it. If you see yourself far from your dreams, then you should think about possible ways to achieve it. You must break your dreams into phases and give it a time frame to achieve. You must cross one milestone at a time. Climb from a smaller peak to a larger one. Student: Do exams refine us? Or are they just a hindrance to us? PM Modi: I sincerely believe that anything that challenges us, polishes us too. If there is nothing to test us, then we become complacent. There must always be something to challenge us.