Read, think, don't scroll: PM Modi recalls learning from TOI in Pariksha Pe Charcha

NEW DELHI: Long before smartphones, search engines and AI entered classrooms, PM Modi said one habit shaped his thinking as a student - reading the newspaper and discussing ideas. Recalling his school days, Modi told students that a teacher once gave him a daily task rooted in curiosity and discipline.

"My teacher used to tell us daily, 'Go to the library. In The Times of India, there is a sentence on the edit page - write that in your notebook and come,' and the next day we used to discuss it," he said, underlining the role of reading and reflection in learning. The PM was speaking during the second episode of the ninth edition of Pariksha Pe Charcha 2026, where he interacted with students from Coimbatore, Raipur, Guwahati and Devmogra in Gujarat.

Using personal anecdotes and simple examples, Modi urged students to build habits that strengthen thinking, rather than becoming dependent on shortcuts. Warning against overuse of technology, he said mobile phones have become "masters" for some children. "Some kids cannot even eat food unless they are watching a smartphone or television," he observed. He said every era has faced fears over new technologies, but technology must not become the master of human life.

On AI, Modi advised balance over blind dependence, saying AI should be used for guidance and value addition, not as a substitute for learning. He noted that nature of jobs will keep changing, just as transport once moved from carts to airplanes. The PM also shared practical tips for exams, stressing preparation and rest. He said a good night's sleep keeps students cheerful and encouraged practising previous years' papers and focusing on writing. He cautioned parents against encouraging comparisons at home, saying constant comparison creates pressure rather than motivation. On leadership, Modi said it begins with courage and initiative. Expressing happiness that students carry the dream of Viksit Bharat 2047, Modi said small habits build a developed nation. Launched in 2018, Pariksha Pe Charcha has grown into a major student engagement programme. The ninth edition, held this year, recorded participation from across the country, reflecting sustained student enthusiasm nationwide overall.