Smile more, score more: Narendra Modi

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi here on Sunday called upon the students to treat examinations as a pleasure and not as a pressure. Addressing the nation in his 'Man ki Baat', he said students should treat examination period as a joyous occasion.

Responding to the query of a student Sristi who sought to know whether the tense situation that haunts the households and neighbourhoods during the examination period resulting in tension and pressure could be transformed into a pleasant atmosphere, Modi said ‘yes’.

Modi elaborated further "exams in themselves should be a joyous occasion. After a year of hard work, one has the opportunity to display one’s capabilities. So, this should be a festival of joy and enthusiasm.

But there are very few people for whom there is pleasure in the exam; for most people, exam means pressure! Now, it is up to you to decide whether you consider exams pleasure or pressure."

Telling students that those who consider the same as pleasure would reap achievements and those who treat it as a pressure would only repent, he said advising them not to fall a victim coming under pressure.

“And therefore my opinion is that exams are like a festival and, hence, must be celebrated. Hence, during examinations too, an atmosphere of festivity should be created in the whole family, amongst friends and around the neighbourhood.

And you will see for yourself, that the pressure will be converted into pleasure. The festive atmosphere will lead to a burden-free environment. And I especially urge the parents to create a festive atmosphere during these 3-4 months. All the family members have to work as a team and play with zeal their respective roles to make this festival of examination a success."

Asking students to smile more and score more, the Prime Minister said it would lead to higher marks in the end. "Just try and see for yourselves. You get relaxed when you smile. When you are relaxed you remember everything taught to you over the year. But, if you are under pressure, you tend to forget only to remember the same after your examinations.

Hence, the families and the society should celebrate the examination period,” he said. For a good measure, he also added "don't cheat in the examination. “Exams are not your whole life and marks are not everything too," he said.