He shows the way to the future

New Delhi: It was not a normal Friday in India. While the youngsters got an excellent movie (Mary Kom) to treat them, the students found a new and dynamic teacher in Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In what could be called an entirely new version of governance, Modi reached out to students via video conferencing. While the students interacted with their favourite teacher, the world was watching a history scripting in India.

Modi turned his Teacher’s Day address to millions of students across the country into a cosy chat, as he fielded questions from his audience and narrated anecdotes, admitting that he is a taskmaster who makes others work but works harder himself.   

A young girl Prerna asked the PM, “People say you are like a Headmaster but you appear to us as friendly. What kind of person are you?” Another student sought tips on becoming a future Prime Minister. Modi promised to attend his swearing-in ceremony in 2024.

Many of his answers provoked laughter as he shared anecdotes of childhood pranks and handed out tips. “Work hard, play hard and sweat a lot at least four times a day,” said the PM to the 700 children gathered at Delhi’s Manekshaw auditorium and the many more who had tuned in from across the country. 

He asked students to read biographies and stressed on the importance of technology, also cautioning, “These days all the work is done by Google guru (the search engine). It provides information but not knowledge.”

The Prime Minister emphasised the need for a young nation like India to produce many more good teachers than it does. “Why can’t we think of exporting good teachers? Why don’t our students want to become teachers these days?” he said the respect that teachers commanded once has diminished.

Over 18 lakh government and private schools in the country participated. Many schools changed timings for Friday to ensure students could watch or hear the PM at school.

Controversially, schools across the country have been asked by the Human Resources Development Ministry to report on how they would ensure students watched the speech. HRD Minister Smriti Irani insisted that participation was voluntary, but a circular issued by her ministry said, “Feedback would be taken immediately after the programme on the number of children and number of schools who were able to view or listen to the PM’s address.” 

Opposition parties have alleged that Modi’s Teacher’s Day programme, which comes as the Modi government completes 100 days in office, is a political exercise.