Skill development required to make youth employable: PM Narendra Modi

Narendra Modi is speaking in Hindi. PM wants teachers to introspect why meritorious students are not willing to join the profession. Modi says there is acute lack of good teachers in the country. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has started his address. Narendra Modi says for many youth teachers are role model and closest confidante. Narendra Modi refers to his 15th August speech. He says that he needs help from every school to ensure there are toilets everywhere. He shares an anecdote to say cleanliness is part of character building in Japan. Modi takes a jibe on media in this context. 

Modi urges Indians to teach atleast a period every week in the schools of their choice.Now, Modi has started to interact with students. He is urging students to read biography of eminent personalities. He is also asking students to take part in physical activity. PM urges students to ask him questions in a freewheeling manner.  Modi says that there has been no major change in his life after becoming Prime Minister. Only now he needs to be more careful while saying anything as he is aware that India's future hinges on it. 

Answering a question, Modi says that he has learnt both from teachers and life experiences. 

Modi asks students to enjoy the process of learning and growing up, rather than focusing on the end results.

Yes, 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: PM — PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 5, 2014

A student is asking PM- what will you gain after talking to us? — PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 5, 2014

If I had to gain things I would not come. Everything is not about 'labh.' Work without any 'labh' and the joy is different: PM — PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 5, 2014

What is my biggest gain? That on TV for the entire day you children are all over: PM @narendramodi — PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 5, 2014

Prime Minister Narendra Modi says he is not strict headmaster. Replying to a question, Modi says that he expects others to work hard so that he can work harder. 

A student from Imphal asks Narendra Modi, how to become Prime Minister? PM breaks out into a feat of laughter and asks him to start preparing for 2024 elections! He mockingly says that PM's post is secured till 2024. 

Students now posting some interesting questions to Narendra Modi. PM is translating the question to Hindi, so that everyone can comprehend it. Narendra Modi says he would never discriminate between students if he was a teacher. A teacher is like a mother according to Narendra Modi.

Modi says he was quite naughty as a kid. He shares an anecdote that they used to gatecrash in wedding ceremonies.  Everybody is laughing. 

From light banter to serious question, Modi now speaking about importance of education for girl child in Naxal affected areas. Modi says that large number of girl children drop out of schools owing to lack of proper amenities. Modi quotes statistics from Board exams to say how girls are faring better than boys when they are getting proper opportunity. 

"Climate is not changing, we are changing and are not paying attention to environment" says Narendra Modi to a question. 

Modi again speaks about cleanliness. He says there are two kind of kids; one who throws there school bags just after going back to home, others keep all things properly. Modi advices kids to conserve energy. 

Modi is totally connecting with the kids now. He asks them to turn off light for few hours every  full moon night. Everybody nods in unison. PM asks them to write letter to him after doing it. 

"Politics should never be made a profession", PM to students. Modi says he never gets tired as he remembers that hope of 125 crore Indians rest on him. PM says that politics should be done with a sense of sacrifice. He shares his secret of working relentlessly. Modi says chatting with kids is the greatest stress buster. 

The people of India are my family. Their happiness is my happiness and their sorrows are my sorrows. I want to keep working more: PM — PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 5, 2014

Modi speaks about the importance of long distance education. He also speaks about the importance of skill specific education. According to Prime Minister, apart from degree importance should be also given on inculcating skill to make youth employable in future. 

Now PM Modi wrapping up his speech. He says that some questions were such that he felt that the inner child is dyeing among the youth. He says one of the reason he planned this programme was to check how many schools in India are technologically equipped. Now the programme is over. 

Select students currently giving short speech throwing light on the life of DR Radhakrishnan.Students from Kashmir to Kerala currently glued to the TV sets.

HRD Minister Smriti Irani currently speaking to the students. She shares an anecdote to harp on the importance of teachers in our lives.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is going to address about 1,000 students at the Manekshaw Auditorium. The programme is slated to start on 3 PM. It will be broadcasted live by all Doordarshan channels and All India Radio. The Prime Minister would also answer questions from some students through video-conferencing.

Following HRD Ministry's direction schools across the country have decided to livestream the event. A controversy has already started regarding if it is compulsory to livestream the event. While the HRD Ministry has clarified that there is no compulsion some states have gone ahead to say that schools are not bound to make arrangement for students to listen to Narendra Modi's address. A Delhi school has gone ahead to give a circular that Modi's speech will be part of exam questions for the students. 

All BJP ruled states have tried to strictly ensure that schools provide students chance to listen to Narendra Modi's speech. Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra are the two major non BJP ruled states which have made similar elaborate arrangement. Around 18 lakh students are expected to tune in.