Prime Minister Narendra Modi connected warmly with students from Raipur, Chhattisgarh, during a lively and culturally rich segment of the second episode of the ninth edition of Pariksha Pe Charcha 2026, held on Monday.
The multi-location interaction, which also featured students from Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu, Devmogra in Gujarat, and Guwahati in Assam, turned especially memorable when students from Raipur welcomed the Prime Minister with traditional Chhattisgarhi snacks. The gesture created an atmosphere of warmth and familiarity amid discussions on examination preparation, leadership, and life skills.
The session began on a cheerful note as students offered Thethri, a crispy deep-fried sweet made from flour, and Khurmi, a traditional snack prepared with gram flour, jaggery, and semolina, commonly enjoyed during Diwali.
Prime Minister Modi tasted the delicacies with visible appreciation and even shared pieces of Khurmi with others present. He remarked that while Khurmi resembles Maharashtra’s chakli, it carries a distinct Chhattisgarhi flavour owing to the use of jaggery.
Student Aditi Upadhyay captured the joy of the moment by feeding the snacks by hand, describing the experience as “amazing” and “family-like.”
The discussion then shifted to practical guidance for tackling board examination challenges. When asked about post-exam vacation plans, the Prime Minister encouraged students to first explore their immediate surroundings. He advised them to list unexplored places within their tehsil, district, and state, and to travel with a curious learner’s mindset—observing people, conversations, and everyday experiences, even during train journeys—to truly understand India’s diversity.
Addressing exam anxiety and restlessness caused by incomplete revision, PM Modi reassured students that no learning is ever wasted; it remains stored in the mind. He advised students to sit calmly before the examination, trust their preparation, and let go of unnecessary worry.
To explain mastery over subjects, he drew an analogy with an athlete’s training, emphasising the importance of daily practice, discipline, and learning through trial and error. He also suggested a simple yet effective technique: helping weaker classmates, especially in subjects like mathematics, as teaching others strengthens one’s own understanding.
Responding to a Taekwondo enthusiast’s question on balancing sports and academics, the Prime Minister stressed that education is essential for personal and social growth and should never be neglected. He urged students to nurture their talents fully while maintaining academic focus, noting that true strength lies in excelling in both areas.
Student Somya Verma asked what qualities the Prime Minister expects from children as future leaders. In response, PM Modi said leadership begins from within. One must decide what needs to be done and commit to action, even if one has to act alone. He explained that leadership naturally emerges when individuals lead by example.
Illustrating this with a simple act, he said that picking up garbage while walking can inspire others to follow suit, proving that action, not authority, creates leaders. He added that leadership is not limited to elections, politics, or speeches, but lies in the ability to explain ideas clearly—not impose them. Understanding deeply, he said, is the foundation of meaningful leadership.
Reflecting on the interaction, Somya Verma said the Prime Minister’s words highlighted leadership through responsibility. She described the experience as a dream come true and said she felt immensely fortunate to meet the Prime Minister in such a personal setting.
PM Modi noted that Pariksha Pe Charcha goes beyond board exam preparation. It serves as an open platform where students freely express their thoughts on exams, stress, expectations, and broader life concerns. He said the questions asked by students touch his heart, as they reflect the thoughts running through young minds across the country.
The Raipur segment seamlessly blended cultural pride with motivational insights, reinforcing the programme’s objective of easing exam stress through positivity, confidence, and practical life lessons. Students described the interaction as unforgettable, deeply personal, and truly inspiring.
(IANS)
