Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday held an interactive session with school students in New Delhi on the occasion of Teachers' Day.
Here's the transcript:
Student: How did you feel on coming to Delhi from Gandhinagar?
PM Modi: I have not got time to see Delhi. It is only home to office and office to home. I do not think there is much change. Yes, I have to work as hard, perhaps rise earlier. Also have to be more conscious with words.
Student: Who shaped you? Your experience or your teachers?
PM Modi: Education, teachers and values are as important as my experiences
Student: Did you ever think as a child that you will be PM of India and known all over the world?
PM Modi: No, I never thought. In school I did not even fight election to be a monitor. We should dream but not to become someone, we should dream to do something. Dream of doing things. Keep doing and in the process if you become something it is good... but there is lot of joy in doing.
Student: What will you gain after talking to us?
PM Modi: If I had to gain things I would not come. Everything is not about 'labh.' Work without any 'labh' and the joy is different. What is my biggest gain? That, for the entire day, you children are all over television.
Student: People say you are like a Headmaster but you appear to us as friendly. What kind of person are you?
PM Modi: Yes I am a taskmaster. But it is not that I myself do not work and get work done by others.
Student from Imphal: How can I become the PM of India?
PM Modi: Start preparing for 2024 elections. And it also means till then I do not have any threat. India is a democracy and anybody can become the prime minister. Yes, when you are taking oath as the PM do call me for the ceremony.
Student: You were in a school in Japan. What difference did you find in the set-up there and here?
PM Modi: In Japan, they give importance to learning. And I saw parents do not drop their children to school. Parents treat all children equally.
Student from Kerala: Who would you concentrate on -- an intelligent student who is lazy or an average student who is hardworking?
PM Modi: A teacher should not discriminate. All children belong to the teacher. And every child has some talents.
Student from Leh: Did you and your friends indulge in pranks during school days?
PM Modi: Can there be any child who does not play mischief? Childhood experiences are very important
Student: Is politics difficult? How do you handle stress so well?
PM Modi: I believe that politics is not a profession. It is a service. The people of India are my family. Their happiness is my happiness and their sorrows are my sorrows. I want to keep working more.
