AMN

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today asked students and parents to take examinations as a festival and not be under stress. Addressing the nation in his Mann Ki Baat programme on All India Radio, the Prime Minister gave the slogan of Smile More and Score More, saying a happy student scores more marks. He said, a relaxed attitude will enable a student to recall all that he has learnt in the exam hall. He stressed that a happy mind is the secret for a good mark sheet as relaxation is the medicine for memory recall.

Mann_ki_BaatMr Modi also said, exams are not a matter of life and death and it is not a benchmark to gauge success. Saying that the first couple of months are the time for exams of students, the Prime Minister observed that a tense atmosphere prevails in the entire family.

Giving the example of former president A P J Abdul Kalam who failed in his Air Force recruitment exam, Mr Modi said, if Mr Kalam would have given up after his failed attempt, the nation would not have got such a big scientist and inspiring President.

Replying to a query sent by a listener, Mr Modi said, gaining knowledge is far more potent than getting high scores. He said, life is a proper coordination between sense of mission and sense of ambition. He said, instead of running after marks, students should gain knowledge, skill, and develop their self confidence and determination. He said, no one seeks to know the marks of a family doctor or lawyer and spelled out that it is the experience which ultimately counts.

The Prime Minister also said, one should compete with oneself rather than competing with others. He observed that cricketer Sachin Tendulkar achieved great heights because he was determined to break his own records.

Mr Modi said, parents have an important role to play too. He recounted the story of a listener who wrote that his mother, though not educated herself, went to great lengths to help him during study. The Prime Minister appreciated the role of a mother in a student’s education.

He said, parents should stress on three points- acceptance, teaching and giving time. He asked parents to accept, saying that expectation is the root of the problem. He opined that parents’ expectation are heavier than the weight of a school bag. He also warned against cheating during exams, terming it as a short cut which eventually leads to failure. He said to cheat is to be cheap and asked students to not do so.

The Prime Minister said, proper rest, sleep and physical activity are essential elements for the overall development of a student. He said, there is world outside of books and exam results. Mr Modi said, there are several tests in life. Prime minister said, examinations have very little to do with success and failures. He advised students to recharge their minds through study breaks, and deep breathing in fresh air. Stating that ‘P for Prepare and P for Play’, Mr Modi said the person who plays, shines. Saying duties and rights are two wheels of democracy, Mr Modi appealed the citizens to do dwell more on their duties and rights.

He hoped that in every level, stress is given to the duties of a person towards the nation and its people. He said, there should be debates and discussions in greater depth about the rights and duties of a citizen. He said, Republic Day is an occasion for the people to dedicate themselves to the Constitution, democracy, duties of a citizen which will inspire and create awareness among the coming generations of their democratic duties.
Mr Modi said, rights and duties are the paths on which country’s democracy can advance with greater speed.

The Prime Minister congratulated the brave soldiers and their families who were awarded with Gallantry awards. He appealed the youth especially, who are active on social media, to look up the profiles of the recipients of the Gallantry awards on the net, and share their stories and deeds of valour.
Mr Modi also paid tribute to the soldiers who lost their lives due to avalanche in Jammu and Kashmir.

The Prime Minister said, Indian Coast Guard will complete 40 years on the first of February. He thanked the Coast Guard for their service to the nation and expressed pride that with its 126 ships and 62 aircraft, the Indian Coast Guard is among the top four Coast Guards in the world. He also praised the men and women in the Coast Guard for their initiative to clean coastal areas as part of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.

Mr Modi said tomorrow marks the death anniversary of Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. He said two minutes of silence is observed at 11 AM on the day to pay homage to martyrs. He said, these two minutes of silence express reverence towards martyrs. He said, these two minutes must reflect our gratitude towards martyrs.

Mr Modi extended his greetings to the nation on the occasion of Basant Panchami on the first of next month. The Prime Minister thanked All India Radio for its initiative to air Mann Ki Baat in regional languages right after his address ends. He praised Akashvani for bringing new colours every time with its creativity.