PM Modi interacts with students in Raipur, says “If you want to become a leader, first become fearless.”
Raipur. In the second episode of the 9th edition of the ‘Pariksha Pe Charcha’ (Discussion on Exams) program, Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted openly with students in Raipur, the capital of Chhattisgarh. During the interaction, the PM said that to reach the heights of success in life or to become a leader, one needs to be fearless first; only then can one achieve anything.
PM Modi said that the true meaning of ‘Pariksha Pe Charcha’ is to sit together, talk, understand each other, and learn from each other. He mentioned that this series started a few weeks ago in Coimbatore and has now reached Raipur. Along with the conversation, he also had the opportunity to sample local delicacies. At the beginning of the program, PM Modi greeted everyone with “Jai Johar.” The children responded with great enthusiasm. Local children offered him Khurmi (a local sweet), which PM Modi ate and even shared with others.
During the interaction, the students freely asked their questions. One student asked PM Modi about places in India that students can visit after their exams, as they feel a strong urge to travel. In response, PM Modi said that one should start traveling not from far away places, but from their own surroundings. He advised them to first make a list of places in their tehsil, then district, and then state that they haven’t seen yet. He said that during student life, one should travel in a simple way, like traveling in a train compartment, carrying food from home, and experiencing life among ordinary people. This is true tourism, from which one learns a lot in life. India is such a diverse country that even a lifetime is not enough to see it all.
A female student asked a question about stress during exams. She said that sometimes she can’t answer the questions, which makes her anxious. PM Modi explained to the children that it is very important to have self-confidence before the exam. He said that whatever they have studied and heard has not gone to waste; it is stored somewhere within them. Instead of panicking during the exam, they should calmly look at the question paper. He connected academics with sports, saying that just as an athlete becomes stronger through continuous practice, wins and losses, and competition, students also become stronger through consistency and practice. He also suggested a specific method, saying that if you feel weak in a particular subject, befriend a classmate who also struggles with that subject and start teaching them. Through teaching, your own understanding will strengthen.
Regarding the balance between sports and studies, PM Modi said that both education and sports are essential for life. He cautioned against the mindset that if you’re good at sports, you don’t need to study, or if you’re good at academics, you don’t need sports. He emphasized that one should excel in both academics and sports so that no one can say that you’re only on the field because you’re not good at studying. Sports are also necessary in life because they teach us discipline and balance. On the question of environmental protection, PM Modi said that protecting nature should become second nature to us. He gave small examples, such as turning off the water while brushing your teeth or using leftover water to water plants. He cited an example of a school where a teacher encouraged children to bring a bottle of leftover water every day to water the plants, and the entire school became lush and green. PM Modi said that even small efforts can bring about big changes. In response to a question about leadership, PM Modi said that to become a leader, one must first become fearless. He said that one must develop the mindset of, “Whether others do it or not, I will do it.” When a person starts with themselves, leadership automatically develops. He explained that leadership doesn’t mean contesting elections or giving speeches, but rather understanding people and taking them along with you.
At the end of the program, PM Modi said that “Pariksha Pe Charcha” (Discussion on Exams) is not limited to preparing for board exams, but is a platform for open discussion on all aspects of life. The students’ questions touched his heart and showed how aware and sensitive today’s youth are about life. The students expressed their happiness after interacting with PM Modi. The children said that meeting PM Modi and having the opportunity to interact with him and learn from him in this way was like a dream come true for them.
