I Never Scored Exceptionally Well in Exams, Had Poor Handwriting, PM Modi Tells Students in 'Mann ki Baat'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi started his radio address "Mann Ki Baat" to students facing examination by sharing something from his own student days: That he had never "scored exceptionally well" in his exams and had "poor handwriting".

What matters, he underscored, was not only how one performs in exams, but also how one performs in life.

"Take confidence from your own achievements," he told the students, "do not think only of the bad marks you received, consider also the circumstances you rose above, an illness, a relative's wedding..."

In view of the board exams for Class XII that are coming up next month, PM Modi had dedicated this edition of Mann ki Baat, his monthly radio address, to exams and countering the pressure of exams.

The topic, he acknowledged, was a "tough one", as "parents, teachers and students had different expectations" on what his message would be.

The exams of Central Board of Secondary Education begin on March 2. Around this time, the students also take various competitive exams, including the prestigious entrance exams for engineering, medicine and management courses.

Exhorting students to rise above nervousness and have confidence in themselves, PM Modi said, "Sometimes we think too much about the future or are lost in the past... (But) a good batsman is thinking about the ball he is facing, not about the match, or the series."

The Prime Minister addresses the nation on "Mann ki Baat" (From the Heart) at least once a month. He had used the programme earlier to share his thoughts on a wide range of issues -- the Clean India Campaign, black money, and drug abuse.

On January 27, PM Modi addressed the programme along with US President Barack Obama, who was in India as the Chief Guest of the Republic Day Parade.