PM Modi marks 75th birthday with students: "25 years still to go" at Pariksha Pe Charcha

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): Prime Minister Narendra Modi told students an anecdote from his 75th birthday during "Pariksha Pe Charcha." He said, "I still have 25 years left. I don't count what's passed, but what's left."

During the "Pariksha Pe Charcha" program, a student from Manipur praised the Prime Minister, saying he has been her inspiration since childhood. The student explained that her birthday coincides with Prime Minister Modi's.

PM Modi then recounted an anecdote, saying, "On my birthday, September 17th, a leader called and said, 'You've turned 75.' I told him, 'I still have 25 left.' I count not what's past, but what's left."

Giving special mantra to the students, PM Modi said that do not waste time in counting what has passed, rather think about living what is left.

The student asked Prime Minister Modi, "When preparing for board exams or any school exam, we look at the previous years' questions and decide for ourselves which topics are most appropriate and important. Sometimes we skip some questions. Is this right?"

PM Modi replied that the paper is never out of syllabus, but it is often said that the paper was too heavy and caused students difficulty. It seems heavy because only a few questions from the past 10 years' pattern were focused on.

He said, "Sure suggestions books, important question books, and 10-year question banks are available, but this is a disease. Some teachers also contribute to this disease. They want their school or class to have good results. Therefore, they teach only what will help them get good marks."

The Prime Minister said that good teachers always teach the complete syllabus, make students work hard on it and explain its importance.

He explained to the students, "Just as an athlete must focus on his entire body to achieve his goal or master a sport, life is not about exams; education is a means to shape one's life. If we misunderstand our education, we are subjected to repeated exams. These exams are meant to test ourselves. The ultimate goal cannot be exam marks. The ultimate goal should be the development of one's entire life."