PM to hold 'Pareeksha pe Charcha' on February 16

After authoring a book on the issue, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will now address students' examination-related concerns in person on February 16 at Talkatora Stadium here where school students from across the country are expected.

Announcim here on Thursday by Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister Prakash Javadekar said he had directed the state education ministers to relay the programmes in all schools and colleges.

"We all know about the book now ('Exam Warriors' written by Modi), but since exams are a big exercise where around 29 crore school children and three crore colleges students take part... So, this is not a political topic, it's a household topic.

"To address the students' concerns, Prime Minister will hold a 'Pareeksha Pe Charcha' on February 16, where he will tell the children how to give stress-free examination," Javadekar told reporters here.

"I have recommended to education ministers of all states (except West Bengal) to relay the programme in institutions of learning at all levels," he added.

The Minister also said that the government would implement its Prime Minister Research Fellowship scheme from this academic season, under which 1000 meritorious B.Tech students would get scholarship of Rs 70,000 and a one time research grant of Rs 2 lakh.

The scheme which has been allocated a total budget of Rs 1,650 crore, was given the cabinet approval on Wednesday.

"This is the most ambitious scheme...this is the biggest scholarship for research. At present, the maximum amount any scholarship gives is Rs 28,000," Javadekar said.

He said that the scholarship holders would also be exempted from doing masters and allowed to enrol directly for Ph.D.

"Only those countries advance which are innovating. We are not an innovating country... Our attempt is to turn the 'brain drain' into 'brain grain', which we will achieve by providing guidance, research facilities and scholarships -- things for which our students go to foreign shores," said the Minister.

-- IANS

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