Feel "blessed" to address India's future: Modi

On the occasion of the birth anniversary second President of India, academic philosopher Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, which is celebrated as Teachers’ Day nationwide, PM took the initiative of interacting live with students across India.

From Manekshaw Auditorium in the capital where he interacted with the students, Modi focused on the importance of teachers in society.

He said, “Teachers are usually role models for students.

We need to highlight the importance of a teacher in society. Most people credit their mother and teachers for their success.”

According to Modi, there is a huge demand of teachers in this country.

He urged the students not only to establish themselves in their own life, but also take the responsibility to educate others.

He said, “There is a huge demand of teachers across the world. Why can't our children think they want to become good teachers? We need to find out why the best students don't want to become teachers.”

He said, “Feel blessed to have the opportunity to address students who are the future of India. We want to make nation-building a people's movement.”

Reiterating the importance of technology in this age, PM said, “The importance of technology is increasing; we mustn't deprive our children of technology.”

At the same time he urged not to get too much carried away with technology, so that natural intelligence gets lost.

Modi said, “Most of the work today is done by 'Google Guru'. It may give information but that isn't knowledge.”

“One should play and sweat. Life shouldn't be bogged down by books,” he added.

About himself, Modi said, “His experience as chief minister has helped him a lot. Don't think there is much change between being chief minister and prime minister. Yes, I have to work as hard, perhaps rise earlier.”

He also took the occasion to speak a few words towards the teachers as well.

Modi thinks, it is the duty of teachers to get the best out of their students.

He said, “Every child has some ability and a teacher's job is to bring out the best in that child. From a teacher's perspective, there should be no discrimination between students on the basis of ability.”

Recalling his recent visit to the ‘Land of Rising Sun’, PM said, “I visited a primary school in Japan, there is almost no teaching there but 100% learning. A Japanese teacher told me that students and teachers in his school clean toilets. In Japan, they give importance to learning. And I saw parents do not drop their children to school.”

Modi stated that education, teachers and values are as important as experiences.

On his own childhood, Modi said, he never dreamt of becoming Prime Minister. He said, “Never thought as a child that I will be PM. I was never even the class monitor.”

He said to the students that they should dream of doing something, rather than becoming something.

During the interaction, one student asked Modi, how to become PM.

Replying to this, Modi said, “Prepare for the 2024 elections... invite me to your swearing in.”