PM's Teachers' Day speech: Be good students, Modi tells kids
To mark Teachers' Day, Narendra Modi interacted with hundreds of school children in New Delhi. The event was broadcasted live to schools across the country.
To mark Teachers' Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with hundreds of school children at Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi. The PM's speech and interaction was broadcast live to schools across the country via TV, radio and the web. Full blog of the event:
PM Narendra Modi takes questions from students:
Student: Are you thinking about giving an impetus to skill development?
Modi: We have created a separate Ministry for skill development. My message would be - keep the child in you alive. Keep smiling and playing.
-To a question from a student from Port Blair, Modi said: Serving the nation does not only mean doing grand things. Doing small things is a big service to the nation. I would want you to become a good student and give importance to cleanliness.
-To a question from a student from Assam on climate change and environment, Modi said: "How many of you have seen a sunrise and a sunset. You have to learn to live with nature. I once asked for a contest how many can put a thread through a needle on a moonlit night. Should we not switch off lights on a moonlit night?
-Student from Delhi: Is politics difficult? How do you handle stress so well? Modi: I believe that Politics is not a profession. It is a service. The people of India are my family. Their happiness is my happiness and their sorrows are my sorrows. I want to keep working more
-To a question by a student from Dantewada, Modi said: I'm really glad you are asking a question on education that too from a land where there has been lot of blood due to Maoists.
-To a question by a student from Port Blair, Modi said: Do you throw off your school bag as soon as you reach home? And there are some kids who keep the school bag and shoes in place. So there are two kinds of kids. You have to decide on what you want to be.
Student from Leh: Did you and your friends indulge in pranks during school days?
Modi: I too was naughty and used to play pranks. We used to show tamarind to a shehnai player and he was unable to play as his mouth would salivate. He would run after us. During weddings, we would also staple together clothes of guests. But promise me you would not do this to anyone.
Student from Thiruvananthapuram: Who would you concentrate on - an intelligent student who is lazy but average student who is hardworking?
Student: You saw a school in Japan. What difference did you find in the set up there and here?
Modi: In Japan, they give importance to learning. And I saw parents do not drop their children to school. Parents treat all children equally
Student from Imphal: How can I become the PM of India?
Modi: Start preparing for 2024 elections...and it also means till then I do not have any threat. India is a democracy and anybody can become the PM. Yes, when you are taking oath as the PM, do call me for the ceremony.
Modi: A lot of things we do that are not for any gain. Work done without seeking any gain gives you most amount of joy. But I thank the media. The only gain has been that the nation has been able to see the photos of the children and not the politicians on Teachers' Day.
Student: What has the role of teachers in your life?
Modi: The level of your education depends on your experiences you have had in life. For me, teachers as well as experiences in life teach you a lot.
Student: Did you ever think as a child you will become the country's PM?
Student: How you feel on moving from Gandhinagar to Delhi?
Modi: Have not yet got time to see Delhi much, just stuck between office and home. But there is not much difference between what I did as a CM and now what I do as a PM.
- Education, teachers and values are as important as my experiences: PM
- I do not think there is much change. Yes, I have to work as hard, perhaps rise earlier. Also have to be more conscious with words: PM
- I have not got time to see Delhi. It is only home to office and office to home: Modi
- Feel free to interact with me: PM Modi tells students.
- As students I am sure you have several dreams. If you are determined to move ahead nothing can stop you. Our youth are talented: PM.
- I said it on August 15 that we need to ensure that no school lacks toilet facilities for girl students, says PM
- Dr. Radhakrishnan did not celebrate his own birthday. He celebrated a day for teachers: PM Narendra Modi
- India is a youthful nation. Cant we think of exporting good teachers? Why can't our children think - I want to be a good teacher: PM Modi
- What is the reason why a lot of people do not want to become teachers. We must think about this. The world needs good teachers: PM
- Feel honoured to speak to India's future: PM Modi.
- HRD Minister Smriti Irani welcomes the Prime Minister.
- HRD Minister shares an anecdote with students about the value of education.
- School students from Delhi speaks to the audience on the value of Teachers' Day.
- Karuna Kumari, a Class VIII student from a girl's school in Delhi, speaks about the legacy Dr S. Radhakrishnan.