Pariksha Pe Charcha 2021 Highlights: 12 important advice of PM Modi for students, teachers, parents

Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with many students, teachers, and parents in the fourth edition of the Pariksha Pe Charcha event that was held virtually this year, due to the pandemic. Over 10 lakh students had registered to participate in the PPC 2021 event to interact with PM Modi. The Prime Minister shared advice for them to deal with exam pressure. He also talked to parents about various other aspects of raising a child and inculcating good values in them. 

Highlights of Pariksha Pe Charcha: 12 key points of PM Modi's address 

1. PM Modi told the students not to fear exams but to see them as a test to improve themselves, and said social and family environment at times creates pressure around students that is not desirable. "Your family members or relatives create a pressure that board exam is very important that makes the students over conscious and stressed. The exam is not the end of your life. It is just a milestone that you have to cross. Ignore the external pressure which will boost your confidence," PM Modi said. 
2. PM Modi advised the parents to work on the strengths and weaknesses of their children and be actively involved in their preparation for board exams. The busy life of parents restricts them from getting involved with them during their exam preparation, he added.
3. PM Modi advised the students to attempt the tougher questions first while writing the exam. "You must focus on all subjects equally. It is said that students should attempt the easier subjects or easier questions first. But, I advise that try to attempt the tougher questions first because your mind is fresh and your ability to solve the tough questions will be more. Later, after your mind is tired, solving the easier questions will also be ok for you," PM Modi said. 
4. While acknowledging that one cannot be good at everything, Modi also asked students to not run away from any subject even if they find it difficult and cited his own example of taking up more complex work in the morning when he feels fresh and leaving easier parts to late night. In my work as the Prime Minister and Chief Minister earlier, I preferred to tackle difficult issues in the morning with a fresh mind.
5. He also advised students to value their free time as without it life will be like a "robot" and should leave tension outside the examination hall.  "Free time should be valued as without it life will be like a robot. One values free time more when it is earned. More importantly, we should be careful about avoiding things during the free time that have the danger of eating away all the time. These things will leave you exhausted instead of refreshed. Free time is the best opportunity to learn new skills. Free time should be used in the activities which bring out the uniqueness of an individual, " he said.
6. "It is not important to be master of all the subjects even those people are highly successful who have a firm grasp over one specific subject," he said. Modi gave the example of legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar who has given her entire life to the single-minded pursuit of music. Finding a subject difficult is not a limitation and one should not run away from difficult subjects, he added.
7. Interacting with students virtually in his annual 'Parikasha Pe Charcha' program, he said students sometimes become over-conscious regarding exams and asked them to take them as a small destination in their long lives.  "The fear is mainly due to the atmosphere that has made examination be-all and end-all of life, which makes students over conscious. Life is very long and these are just a stage of life. Parents, teachers, and peers should not put pressure on students. Exams should be treated as merely a good occasion to test oneself and not be turned into a question of life and death.
8. He noted that the students may have lost a year of their lives during the COVID-19 pandemic but they have learned lots of lessons and the true value of essential things. "While we can say that students have lost a year of their lives due to COVID-19, but due to the pandemic, they have also learned a lot of lessons. They have learned the true value of many essential things," he said. "You must have missed a lot of things during the lockdown. But, you must have also earned a lot of lessons during the pandemic. People have realized the importance of people around us during the lockdown. Nothing should be taken for granted. This lesson should be learned and one should never forget it event after the pandemic is over. During the lockdown, people have got the time to introspect. Coronavirus forced us to maintain social distancing but brought family members together. People have understood the importance of their family members and their contributions to our lives. I would like to suggest the researchers study it. Even, the benefits of traditional Kadhas were discovered during the pandemic," he added. 
9. "Go to the exam hall with full confidence and a cool mind to avoid stress. If you are stressed inside the exam hall, you will forget everything you have learned. You should remember that you have prepared for the exam very well and you will be able to write your paper smoothly. Leave your stress outside the exam hall," PM Modi advised.
10. "When you are fully involved with 100% focus on a topic you will be able to memorize it. When you associate yourself and visualize everything you read, it will be easier for you to memorize the topics," PM Modi advised a student who asked how to sharpen the memory power. 
11. "Parents should not try to raise their children like they were raised. The world is constantly changing and the up-bringing should be done accordingly. You should not pressurize your children to be like you. This will create conflicts between you and your children," PM Modi advised parents
12. In the end, PM Modi asked the youth to actively take part in making India AatmaNirbhar (Self-reliant) and become 'vocal for local'.