This year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has addressed students and parents, offering much-needed value on dealing with academic pressure and nurturing the children’s positive environment. Calm speech, which references cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, has resulted in much discussion about the nature of self-progress and parental support.
Encouragement for a Supporting Mental State
PM Modi told the parents not to make the report card of their child an identity card for themselves. They should not put undue pressure or comparisons with other students on their children. Instead, he motivated parents to recognize the unique abilities of their children and create an environment in which they could flourish without any fear of failure.
“Some parents consider their children’s report cards as their visiting cards. This is not good,” he remarked, adding, “What counts for the parents is their child overall, not just his or her discussions regarding academics.”
The Sachin Tendulkar Example
In order to supplement his argument with a real-life example, PM Modi cited that of the legendary cricket master, Sachin Tendulkar. He asserted that while no one ever challenged Tendulkar, he tirelessly strived to surpass his own records. By setting personal goals and possibilities and continuously improving, Tendulkar became one of the greatest cricketers of all time.
This analogy speaks a powerful message to students—compete with yourself and not with others. The focus should be on self-betterment rather than on external validation.
Sachin Tendulkar’s Response
On hearing PM Modi’s speech, Sachin Tendulkar issued a formal reply, thanking the Prime Minister and reiterating the importance of preparation and focus. “Preparation is the key for everyone, whether a student or a player. When you concentrate on self-improvement, the challenges become less intimidating,” he stated.
Creating a Stress-Free Learning Environment
This same PM Modi address also brought out the role parents play in confidence building for their children. Instead of creating a stressful academic environment in their lives, parents should focus their efforts on motivating their children to study what they truly want.
“This is just wrong,” he remarked. “Many parents compare their child constantly with others. This is demotivating. Each child is unique and has their own strengths.”
Conclusion
PM Modi’s teaching is a serious reminder that academic performance is only one of the developmental aspects of a child. The parent should make the child live in a completely supportive, pressure-free learning environment, where he develops confidence, resilience, and, most importantly, lifelong love for learning. His mention of Sachin Tendulkar’s self-improvement journey only serves to validate the importance of looking inwards at one’s growth rather than competing with others.
For students who are taking the enormous next step, this important message is perfect during this time frame: focus on progression, not perfection.