Ideal study hour, Cricket figure in Modi's 'Pariksha pe Charcha'

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Students in Nagaland watching the live streaming of the 'Pariksha Pe Charcha 2020’ programme organised by the School Education Department on January 20. The Prime Minister Narendra Modi (Inset) interacted with students, teachers and parents during the programme on Monday. (Photo Courtesy: Nodal officer, DoSE/RNU AIR Kohima)

 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that students should look at technology as a friend even as he cautioned them against allowing technology to take control of their lives. The Prime Minister was addressing a select audience of students, teachers and parents at the 'Pariksha Pe Charcha' event, on January 19.

 


Pointing out that social networking is important, the Prime Minister said that today social networking is dominated by the social media. Cautioning against allowing technology to take control of lives, the Prime Minister encouraged people to go out and personally interact with the people.

 


The Prime Minister said that students should ensure that at least one hour per day should be kept free of technology. He asked the gathering of students, parents and teachers if they could keep one room of their homes, totally technology-free.

 


The prime minister was replying in response to questions about the importance of technology posed by two students, Deepesh Rai from Sikkim and Divya from Andaman and Nicobar.

 

 

Best time to study


A Class 12 student Prerna, studying at Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya in Aurangabad asked which is the best time to study, day or night? While Shubhashish from Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Tripura asked: "Am I doing something wrong by studying at night?"

 


Responding to these questions, Prime Minister Modi said: "I suggest morning time is the best to study because I am a morning person. But, these days I have to work till late so I can understand that one feels tired after a long day full of activities, and I have no moral right to preach what I am not able to practice. However, I would suggest that morning is the best time to study."

 


He also said: "Our mind is as clear as the sky after the rain in the morning, therefore, our memory and brain work better early morning.”

 


"You must have heard birds during dawn and dusk. It is the way of nature telling us about evening and morning. One should sense the nature and make time for study as per one's own biological clock and comfort."

 

Handling easier problems first gives confidence

The Prime Minister also advised the student community to approach exams with self-confidence rather than with stress. 

 


Two students said that they tend to forget everything when they see the question paper during examinations, and asked the prime minister for a solution.

 


Responding to their query, the Prime Minister reminded the gathering as to how people shake their two-wheeler before starting it. "It's not scientific but everybody does it. Tennis players warm up. Why do they do? It creates a comfort zone for them." he said.

 


Stating that everyone has their own way of creating comfort zones for themselves, the Prime Minister advised students to compose themselves for a moment after getting the question paper. Then everything will come back into focus, he said.

 


He advised students to approach the exams with confidence. "If you go with stress, it will go against you. Go with self-confidence. Select the easiest question answer it first.

 

Cites Kumble, Dravid, Laxman as icons of motivation

Modi  also gave the example of spin-legend Anil Kumble bowling with injury during a match against West Indies and Rahul Dravid and V.V.S. Laxman partnership of 376 runs in a test match against Australia as the "power of motivation and positive thinking".

 


"Motivation, de-motivation are very common. Everyone goes through these feelings. In this regard, I can never forget my visit to ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) during Chadrayaan and the time spent with our hardworking scientists," he said. 

 


Modi was responding to a question asked by a student from Rajasthan named Yashashri who wanted to know what to do if the board exams put the students mood off.

 


Responding to her question, Modi said, "We can add enthusiasm to every aspect of life. A temporary setback doesn't mean success will not come. In fact, a setback may mean the best is yet to come."

 


Citing the example of 376 runs between Rahul Dravid and V.V.S. Laxman during the test match played at Eden Gardens in Kolkata in 2001, Modi said, "Do you remember the India-Australia test series in 2001? Our cricket team was facing setbacks. The mood was not very good. But, in those moments can we ever forget what Dravid and Laxman did. They turned the match around."

 


Laxman and Dravid hauled India out of the pits with a 376-run partnership. It was on March 14, 2001 that Laxman and Dravid essayed two of the most iconic knocks in Test cricket. At the start of Day 4, India were 254 for 4. The Kolkata test match victory ended Australia's 16-match winning streak while this match was only the third instance in history when a team had won a match after given a follow on.

 


Citing another example of spin-legend Kumble, Modi said, "Similarly, who can forget Kumble bowling with an injury. This is the power of motivation and positive thinking," Modi added.

 


In 2002, Kumble while playing against West Indies in Antigua, was hit on his chin and injured during batting. But he emerged from the pavilion with his face bandaged ready to bowl. Kumble bowled 14 overs and became the first bowler to dismiss West Indies great Brian Lara while bowling with a broken jaw.

 


“Pariksha Pe Charcha” is an initiative by the Prime Minister to help the student community overcome examination-related stress. Students from across the country are invited to field questions to the Prime Minister and selected students are invited to meet him.


(IANS)