Read, think, don’t scroll: PM Modi recalls learning from TOI in Pariksha Pe Charcha | India News
New Delhi: Long before smartphones, search engines and AI entered the classroom, Prime Minister Modi A habit forms his thinking as a student – reading newspapers and discussing ideas. Recalling his school days, Modi told the students that a teacher once gave him a daily task rooted in curiosity and discipline. “My teacher used to tell us every day, ‘Go to the library Times of IndiaThere is a sentence on the editing page – write in your notebook and come,’ and the next day we would discuss it,” he said, underlining the role of reading and reflection in learning. The Prime Minister was speaking during the second phase of the ninth edition of the Pariksha Pay Talk 2026, where she interacted with students from Coimbatore, Raipur, Guwahati and Devamogra in Gujarat. Using personal anecdotes and simple examples, Modi urged students to develop habits that strengthen thinking rather than relying on shortcuts. Mobile phones have become “masters” for some children, he said, warning against excessive use of technology. “Some kids can’t even eat without looking at a smartphone or television,” he observes. He said, every era has faced fear of new technology, but technology should not become the master of human life. On AI, Modi advised balancing blind reliance, saying AI should be used for guidance and value addition, not as a substitute for learning. He noted that the nature of jobs will continue to change, as transportation once shifted from cars to airplanes. The Prime Minister also shared practical tips, stress preparation and rest for the exam. He said a good night’s sleep keeps students alert and encourages them to focus on previous year paper practice and writing. She cautions parents against encouraging comparison at home, saying constant comparison creates stress rather than motivation. Talking about leadership, Modi said, it starts with courage and initiative. Expressing happiness that students are carrying the dream of Vixit Bharat 2047, Modi said small habits build a developed nation. Launched in 2018, Pariksha Pe Dishasha has become a major student engagement program. The ninth edition, held this year, recorded participation from across the country, reflecting the enthusiasm of sustainable students across the country as a whole.
