Try not to make AI or mobile phone the master: PM Modi tells students
New Delhi (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said students should not let technology enslave them, but use it to increase their potential.
In the second episode of Pariksha Pe Charcha, he noted that mobile phones have become masters of some children, who cannot even eat food without them or without a television screen.
"It means that you have become slaves of mobiles. You have to make a firm resolve that you will not let technology enslave you," Modi said in an interaction with students that took place in Coimbatore, Raipur, Guwahati and Gujarat.
The prime minister urged students not to be afraid of emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, but use them to hone their skills and improve potential.
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"We should try not to make AI or mobile the master; some kids do not eat food unless they see the smartphone. We can use AI efficiently," he said.
The prime minister also urged students to practice previous papers and have a good sleep to perform better at examinations.
"You will never feel tense after preparing well for exams. A good night’s sleep will keep you cheerful for the rest of the day,” Modi said.
The prime minister said he felt good to see that the students of Classes 10 and 12 in the country can also carry the dream of Viksit Bharat 2047 in their minds.
"This is a matter of great happiness for me. We should adopt the habits of developed countries—we should turn off engines at red lights, we should not leave food, and should reduce wastage... Discipline is very important in our life..."
The prime minister recalled the role of his teachers in his days as a student and their insistence on exercise to remain healthy.
"If you ask any great person, they will say that their mother and teachers helped shape their life,” Modi said.
On leadership, the prime minister said a key quality was the ability to communicate better.
"To become a leader, develop a mindset to take initiative. Leadership does not only mean contesting elections. A key leadership quality is the ability to communicate your thoughts clearly and effectively to at least ten people,” the prime minister said.
The first episode of the ninth edition of Pariksha Pe Charcha was aired last week where the prime minister advised students to listen to everyone's advice but change lifestyle pattern only when they want to. He also told them that education should not feel like a burden and advised them to focus not only on marks but also on improving life.
Launched in 2018, Pariksha Pe Charcha began as student interaction in townhall format before expanding into one of India's largest education engagement exercises. Registrations rose from about 38.8 lakh in 2023 to 2.26 crore in 2024, before touching 3.53 crore in 2025 - a milestone that earned the programme a Guinness World Record. The ninth edition broke the previous record with over 4.5 crore registrations.
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345 Indian fishermen stranded in Iran return home via Armenia
New Delhi (PTI): A group of 345 Indian fishermen, who were stranded in Iran amid escalating regional tensions, returned to India via Armenia on Saturday, officials said.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar thanked his Armenian counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan for assistance in return of the Indian nationals.
The Indian nationals arrived in Chennai this evening, the officials cited above said.
The circumstances that led to them being stranded in Iran were not immediately known.
"Thank FM @AraratMirzoyan and the Government of Armenia for facilitating the evacuation of Indian fishermen today from Iran, through Armenia to India," Jaishankar said on social media.
Over 1,500 Indian nationals have left Iran through land border crossings in Armenia and Azerbaijan since the start of the West Asia conflict over a month ago.
"A group of Indian fishermen, stranded in Iran, are returning home via Armenia today; their flight is expected to reach India this evening," a government statement said.
It said the Ministry of External Affairs continues to closely monitor the evolving situation in the West Asian region, with the safety, security and welfare of the Indian community being accorded the highest priority.
It also made a mention of five Indians being injured in Abu Dhabi on Friday.
According to Abu Dhabi authorities, the Indian nationals were among the 12 people injured by debris from an intercepted missile.
"In an attack in Abu Dhabi, five Indian nationals were injured; four have been discharged, one remains under treatment," the Indian government's statement said.
It said the Indian mission in Abu Dhabi is extending "full" assistance and coordinating with local authorities, adding that their flight is expected to reach India this evening.
