PM Modi’s Pariksha Pe Charcha: Nature To Nurture, 5 Key Messages For Students, Parents – News18

Last Updated:February 10, 2025, 16:05 IST

Pariksha Pe Charcha 2025: PM Narendra Modi told students to always share what they are feeling with their family members

From “caring for nature” to “importance of meditation” and urging parents and teachers “not to compare children”, the eighth edition of Pariksha Pe Charcha (PPC)-2025 saw Prime Minister Narendra Modi engage with a bunch of students in an open conversation at Sunder Nursery in the national capital. Giving tips and practical advice to beat exam stress, the PM insisted on “living to excel in life instead of just excelling in an exam”.

This year, 36 students, representing each of the states and union territories, participated in the interaction. The PM sported a saffron-coloured jacket with a deep blue shawl, dressed in his trademark kurta pyjama.

This year’s event was held outdoors unlike previous editions, when it was conducted in a town hall format in an auditorium setting.

This year, the PPC will span over eight episodes with the first one featuring PM Modi that was released on Monday, while seven subsequent episodes will feature renowned personalities from diverse fields including Bollywood stars such as Deepika Padukone and Vikrant Massey, boxing champion Mary Kom, and spiritual leader Sadhguru, among others, interacting with students on life lessons.

Here are the five big messages from the PM from the first episode of PPC-2025:

1. ‘NOT FOR WATCHING REELS, USE TECHNOLOGY THE RIGHT WAY’

The PM, while addressing a query on the use of gadgets, said that students from the current generation were “lucky” to have exposure to technology. “Students need to understand whether they just keep watching reels or understand the nitty-gritty of technology itself,” the PM said.

He added that one should make “optimum utilisation” of technology.

2. ‘PARENTS SHOULD NOT PRESSURE KIDS ON CAREER CHOICE’

Many students asked the PM on how to handle the pressure they face from parents on picking a study stream or a career of their choice instead of what the child is interested in. Answering the query, the PM urged parents to not “force their children into a career of their own choice and instead understand where the student’s interest and potential lies in, be it sports or arts”. He also said that the pressure among parents comes from social status and constantly watching what others are doing, which they pass down to children.

“Parents should not make their children stand like models in front of others,” he said.

He cited an example of legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, who got interested in the sport from early days where his parents supported his interest.

He also mentioned how teachers usually just appreciate a small group of students who are bright while others are just told to sit at the back benches. He urged them not to compare students and motivate each one to do better.

3. ‘FOCUS ON SKILLS’

Addressing students’ queries on the constant pressure of getting higher marks, the PM said that even if a student is not getting exceedingly good marks, they should know their skills. Picking a skill and honing it will help them get over this pressure of marks. “Life of a student has much more than just getting good marks. If they have a skill, parents should help them sharpen it and be proud of it as well,” he said.

4. ‘ALWAYS SHARE HOW YOU FEEL’

Several students had a query on how to handle anxiety, especially related to exams, a question that has been raised in almost every previous edition of the PPC. The PM told students to always share what they are feeling with their family members. He recalled older times when children would come home and tell everything that happened during the day at school to their family members, which used to be a close-knit system of an extended family with grandparents, uncles and aunts.

“Earlier, children would learn from each member of the family or discuss their issues with them. Today the family structure has changed. But even now students must come home and share with their parents about their feelings and whatever issues they might be facing, which will certainly make them feel relaxed,” he said, adding, “Keeping your thoughts constantly bottled inside could lead to a blast one day, which can lead to depression. Hence, students must always talk to their parents about their problems freely.”

5. ‘CARE FOR NATURE, MEDITATION IS IMPORTANT’

The event saw the PM along with the students planting a sapling each at the nursery.

Answering a question asked by a student on climate change and how they can help the situation, the PM reminded them to “care for nature” and spoke about his initiative ‘Ek ped maa ke naam’.

“Loving nature and caring for it must become a way of life. It should be a part of your lifestyle. It is crucial for our planet and is also a great stressbuster,” he said.

The PM also taught the students a few breathing techniques that could help them relax and discussed the benefits of meditation, which he said must become an important aspect of their lives as they grow up.