Prime Minister interacts with students across five states, advises replacing one foreign item yearly; 9th edition garners 6.76 crore participant
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed students nationwide during the 9th edition of ‘Pariksha Pe Charcha’ (PPC), urging them to make ‘Viksit Bharat’ their dream and actively participate in nation-building by replacing foreign products with indigenous alternatives.
Speaking to students across Delhi, Coimbatore, Raipur, Dev Mogra, and Guwahati, PM Modi highlighted how everyday items from combs to toothbrushes are predominantly foreign-made. He encouraged students to replace at least one foreign item with a swadeshi product annually, emphasizing that small steps contribute to national development.
“When India completes 100 years of independence, you will be 39-40 years old. Start dreaming about Viksit Bharat now. Just as Bhagat Singh sacrificed himself for freedom 25-30 years before independence, you must envision what you’ll do for a developed India,” Modi told students.
Addressing exam-related anxiety, the Prime Minister advised students to focus on learning rather than obsessing over marks. “Does anyone remember last year’s toppers? These achievements are temporary. What matters is how studies impact your life, not just scores,” he stated.
When asked about skills versus marks, Modi emphasized balance between both. He encouraged students facing presentation anxiety to trust their preparation, drawing parallels with how confidence stems from authenticity. “Even a poor woman on the footpath speaks confidently on TV because she speaks the truth about what she witnessed. Believe in your work, and presentation fear will vanish,” he explained.
The PM also promoted indigenous gaming, suggesting students create games based on Panchatantra stories and Abhimanyu’s tale rather than playing foreign games. He advised a student from Goa interested in gaming to build Indian-themed games and launch them on personal websites.
This year’s PPC recorded unprecedented participation with over 6.76 crore registrations, including 4.5 crore registered participants and 2.26 crore additional participants across various activities. The program, available on Sony LIV, Prime Video, and Zee5, continues its mission of stress-free exam preparation since its 2018 inception. Last year’s 8th edition created a Guinness World Record with participation from over 245 countries.
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