Indian students had their “chai pe charcha” moment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi today. Hundreds of students participated in the PM’s interactive session – Pariksha Pe Charcha – where he shared tips on reducing stress during exams.
Live footage of the session was hosted by all Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) websites. As the Board examinations for Classes 10 and 12 are approaching (28.24 lakh students will sit for the exams this year), Modi has been insisting that they not get stressed. He urged the students to become “warriors” not “worriers”.
While responding to a question on the importance of the Intelligence Quotient (IQ) and Emotional Quotient (EQ), PM Modi said: “IQ and EQ both have importance in life; there should be equal focus on EQ. It gives power to life.”
Another student, Deepshi Grover from Delhi, asked about the yoga asanas which can be helpful in beating exam stress. Modi suggested that one start with the asana they are comfortable with. He further spoke about tadasana.
“Once I am in bed, I take hardly 30 seconds to fall asleep,” PM Modi said, while emphasising on the importance of sleep. He added it is important to have “quality sleep.”
Responding to Kushahra from Shillong, Modi said the importance of teachers has reduced in these times – which is not right. “In our society teachers are like family members. Such a spirit was more common earlier and we have to reignite this spirit today.”
He also asked the teachers to “not only get connected with the student but his entire ecosystem, that is, his family.”
While a few questions were pre-recorded video messages, the others were asked on social media platforms and the NM mobile app. He also took questions routed through specific news channels such as India TV, Times Now and Republic TV.
PM Modi asked students to have a flexible timetable while responding to questions on time management. “For students, one timetable or schedule can’t be appropriate for the full year. It is essential to be flexible and make best use of one’s time” he said. He added that one should try to follow a time-table which is in “minimum conflict with the kind of environment” we live in.