New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged students to celebrate examinations like festivals to reduce stress. He was addressing students in his monthly radio address– Mann ki Baat, his first this year.

On Saturday, Election Commission gave its nod to air the programme. Keeping the model code of conduct in mind in five states, the central government had approached the EC seeking clearance for the radio programme.

“Exams should be a time for celebration. It is an occasion to show what you have learned. It is for you to decide if it is a pleasure or pressure. One must take exams like a festival. We give our best during festivals. My special request to parents is to help create an environment of a festival," Modi said.

He said that it is important to focus on knowledge.

“Exams have very little to do with the success and failures of life. The real thing in life is the knowledge you acquire. Marks and marksheet are limited, knowledge is what matters. Keep judging your improvements through time. Competing with yourself gives strength," he said.

He also asked parents to accept their children for who they are.

According to the Press Trust of India, approximately 1.1 million students will appear for the Class XII board exam, while 1.7 million candidates will take the Class X exam this year.

CBSE board exams begin on 9 March, a day after the end of polling. The states of Uttar Pradesh, Manipur, Uttarakhand, Goa and Punjab go to poll between 4 February and 8 March. Results for all the states will be declared on 11 March.

PTI contributed to the story.

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