Do not compete with others, compete with yourself, Modi asks students
New Delhi, Feb 16 (IBNS) : In an extension of "Chai Pe Charcha", a campaign designed to impress individuals about the functioning of his Government, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday interacted with students across the country holding "Pariksha Par Charcha" to address their examination-related concerns at Talkatora Stadium in the national capital, reports said.
PM Modi said though he is there to speak on exam stress it is also his “examination day”.
Replying a question on how to get over from peer pressure, Modi advised students not to compete with others and to let there be a competition within one's self for improvement in performance.
"Do not compete with others, compete with yourself. But if you have to compete, choose your opponents carefully."
"My young friends, do not bother about how many hours your friends study. Think- you studied for a certain number of hours on one day, better that the next day," the PM said.
On another question about the high expectations of parents and social pressure, Modi spoke about the sacrifices of parents, but said their expectations stem from their failures.
"Always remember what every parent sacrifices for the well-being of the child. Parents also live that pressure: They won't waste money because of fees. They dream to see their children as something. We should not doubt their intentions. Parents shift the burden of their failures on their children."
Modi also had words of advice for parents : ""Parents compare their children with others. Don't make it a social status. Talk about your children and do not compare. Every child is blessed with unique talents. I would request parents not to make the achievements of their child a matter of social prestige."
When asked about how to maintain self-confidence, he said, "Self-confidence is very important. It's not a pill or herb. There is no tablet that can be consumed for instant confidence. We have to build it every day."
Speaking on maintaining concentration, Modi said, "Through out the day, we all do something with concentration. What makes you alert? Ask yourself. Then find out why you like it. Find the reasons and adopt it on other activities."
He said once participating in a "Mann Ki Baat" episode, Sachin Tendulkar had said when he plays, he doesn't worry about anything - will he hit sixer or not. "This is the way. Live in the present." Modi said.
The PM also asked students to take to yoga, saying it is a "wonderful way" to improve concentration.
The PM recalled when he was student, he read Swami Vivekananda's writings who said that you may have the blessings of all the gods and goddesses, but if you don't believe in yourself, then all those blessings are futile.
He also urged students to "be warriors, not worriers". "Treat exams like festivals" and "a happy mind is the secret of a good mark sheet" are among other suggestions.
The interactive session, also being dubbed as "Exam Ki Baat", was organised days after the prime minister launched his book "Exam Warriors" that lists mantras to help students to stay calm before the examination.
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