Prime Minister Narendra Modi today urged children to eat seasonal fruits and avoid junk and oily food. Mr. Modi spoke extensively about nutrition and wellness during his interaction with students in the 8th edition of the Pariksha Pe Charcha programme. He remarked that the United Nations had declared 2023 as the ‘International Year of Millets’ and promoted it across the world on a proposal from India. The Prime Minister highlighted that millets were known as a superfood in India. He added that most things, like crops and fruits, were linked to the country’s heritage. Mr. Modi cited an example where every new crop or season was dedicated to God, and festivals were celebrated across India.

Mr. Modi also stressed the importance of sunlight for the human body. He encouraged the children to cultivate a daily habit of soaking in the morning sunlight for a few minutes. He also told them to take deep breaths while standing under a tree right after the sunrise. On the topic of mastering pressure, the Prime Minister remarked that it is unfortunate that society has ingrained the idea that not scoring high marks in school exams like 10th or 12th ruins a person’s life. Mr. Modi encouraged children to only focus and concentrate on their studies, which would help them overcome the pressure. When asked by a student to share tips on effective leadership, the prime minister said that outer appearance does not define a leader, but a leader is one who leads by setting an example for others. He also said that leadership is not imposed but accepted by those around.

The prime minister discussed a host of topics in his informal interaction with the students from across the country. He distributed sweets made of til, which is traditionally served during winter to keep the body warm. On the topic of balancing hobbies with studies, the Prime Minister stated that students are not robots and emphasised the importance of holistic development. He also highlighted the importance of developing the habit of writing. On being asked by a student about time management, Mr. Modi highlighted the importance of time management and gave valuable suggestions to the students.

Speaking on the topic of coping with anxiety and depression while managing studies, Mr. Modi said the issue of depression often starts with feeling disconnected from family and gradually withdrawing from social interactions. He emphasised the importance of expressing inner dilemmas openly to prevent them from escalating.