NEW DELHI: Pariksha Pe Charcha 2025 broke tradition with an open-air, informal conversation at Sunder Nursery, replacing the conventional auditorium setup, as students engaged with PM Narendra Modi in a free-wheeling discussion around diet, stress, technology and personal struggles related to examinations.
Modi revealed, “Had I not been PM, I would have liked to work in the skill development ministry.” He advised the young audience to “break hierarchical barriers” and emphasised, “True leadership is about inspiring and guiding others, not just giving orders.”
Focusing on skill development, Modi said, “Degrees are valuable, but skills make you indispensable.” He shared examples of young entrepreneurs and innovators who turned their passions into careers, emphasising that adaptability and continuous learning define success today. “You are lucky to be growing up in an era with so much technology… but you must decide whether you are using it wisely.”
Every difficulty brings an opportunity to grow: Modi
Are you spending hours watching reels, or are you learning something from technology? Technology is not a storm that will sweep you away-it is a tool. If you use it properly, it will empower you,” PM Modi said addressing a common complaint parents have of their children.
Students participated in a candid exchange with Modi, marked by warmth and spontaneity. “Earlier, we met him on stage, but this time, it feels personal,” one student shared. Another added, “No scripts, no formality – just open discussion. It makes us feel heard.”
The discussion covered a wide range of topics, from language and culture to health and mindfulness. Akanksha from Kerala praised Hindi, prompting the PM to recite a poem. “Society wrongly associates success with exam scores. But real success comes from persistence. A good cricketer focuses on the ball, not the noise in the stadium. Similarly, students should focus on learning, not stress,” Modi said.
Traditional food customs were also highlighted as students enjoyed til-gud (sesame-jaggery) sweets. “Just like we offer guests something at home, he shared with us,” a student observed. PM Modi underscored mindful living, asking, “Do you know how many teeth we have?” to stress proper chewing habits.
On exam stress, he reassured students, “Marks don’t define you.” Modi told students that knowledge and examinations are two different things. One should not view exams as be-all and end-all in life, he said.
Stress, he said, is like a pressure cooker, and urged students to express their emotions openly. “Depression often arises due to lack of communication,” he noted, encouraging them to embrace challenges: “Every difficulty brings an opportunity to grow.”
Encouraging students to balance hobbies with studies, he used an analogy: “If you have a pet dog at home, do you stop spending time with it just because exams are near? No, because it brings you joy. Similarly, hobbies refresh the mind and keep you balanced.”
Urging parents to not use their children as models to “show off”, he said they should not compare them with others and instead support them. When asked what advice he would give talented students who work hard but don’t achieve success, Modi said “rather than focusing on what someone is lacking, appreciate what they excel at. If you encourage them, they will feel valued. Instead of just studying for exams, students should also write-like poetry or essays-to express their thoughts.”
He reinforced the importance of curiosity and lifelong learning, telling students, “Be inquisitive. Never stop asking questions. Learning doesn’t end with exams; it’s a lifelong pursuit.” Emphasising knowledge and examinations are two different things, he cited India’s tradition of questioning and exploration, noting that great minds push boundaries by asking the right questions.
As the event concluded, PM Modi joked, “Don’t act bossy at home just because you now have a direct connection with the Prime Minister!”