National

PM Modi’s ‘Pariksha Pe Charcha’ to Showcase Deepika Padukone, Mary Kom, Sadhguru, and More

Published

2 years ago

February 6, 2025

This year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s program ‘Pariksha Pe Charcha’ will be presented in a new format, featuring an array of notable personalities who will engage with students preparing for their Board examinations.
Among the distinguished guests are Deepika Padukone, Mary Kom, Avani Lekhara, Rujuta Divekar, Sonali Sabharwal, FoodPharmer, Vikrant Massey, Bhumi Pednekar, Technical Guruji, and Radhika Gupta, all of whom will contribute to empowering the students.
The event, which encourages interaction between students and PM Modi, is organized annually by the Department of School Education and Literacy and will take place in a town hall style at Bharat Mandapam in the capital.

‘Pariksha Pe Charcha’ (PPC) is an initiative by PM Modi aimed at turning exam stress into a celebration of learning. Its eighth edition has seen remarkable growth, with a staggering 3.56 crore registrations in 2025, a significant increase from the previous year’s 2.26 crore registrations—a surge of 1.3 crore.

PPC has evolved into a national movement, resonating deeply with students, teachers, and parents alike, transforming into a “Jan Andolan” (people’s movement). Its emphasis on relieving exam pressure and promoting the idea of exams as a festival—the “Utsav”—has found a warm reception among diverse communities.

The impressive turnout for PPC underscores the rising awareness of the importance of mental well-being and holistic education. The program’s interactive approach, facilitating direct dialogue among students, educators, and the Prime Minister, has played a pivotal role in its popularity.

To further deepen PPC as a “Jan Andolan,” various engaging activities were organized from January 12, 2025 (National Youth Day) to January 25, 2025 (Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Jayanti) at schools nationwide.

These activities aimed at fostering a sense of community and celebration among students, parents, and teachers, witnessing participation from 1.42 crore students, 12.81 lakh teachers, and 2.94 lakh schools. The initiatives focused on reducing stress, enhancing focus, and boosting performance during exams and beyond.

Students took part in an exciting array of activities, including traditional games like Kho-Kho and Kabaddi, short-distance marathons, creative meme contests, engaging street plays (Nukkad Nataks), and vibrant poster-making competitions.

Additionally, students were encouraged to document their experiences through testimonials, engage in discussions, and participate in yoga and meditation sessions to foster relaxation and mindfulness. Schools organized plays created by students and hosted workshops with special guests sharing their insights.

Since 2018, PM Modi has been conducting this annual event to connect with school students, teachers, and parents, offering guidance on how to remain stress-free during board exams. The program is organized by the Department of School Education and Literacy under the Ministry of Education.

The first three editions of PPC were held in New Delhi in a town hall setting. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the fourth edition transitioned to an online format, broadcast on Doordarshan and major TV channels. The fifth, sixth, and seventh editions returned to the town hall format at Talkatora Stadium in New Delhi.

National

Marriage Turns into Alleged Fraud as Woman Flees with Jewellery

Published

1 day ago

October 7, 2026

Namma Kudla

Chandigarh: A woman who allegedly posed as a PCS officer and married an Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader in Punjab reportedly fled with gold and silver jewellery and other valuables just a few months after the wedding.

AAP Joint Secretary Amarinder Singh Mandofal has alleged that he was cheated by the woman, identified as Manwinder Kaur. The two got married in February 2026 after Kaur’s family introduced her to Amarinder as a PCS officer.

According to Amarinder’s complaint, the woman was also presented as unmarried. However, he later allegedly discovered that she had been married earlier and had a son aged around 18. He also claimed that she had provided false information about her age.

The woman allegedly left the house with gold and silver jewellery and other valuable items a few months after the marriage. Amarinder said he became suspicious and later gathered information about her past.

Based on his complaint, police have registered a case against six people, including Kaur, on charges of cheating and forgery.

The FIR names her brother Tarlochan Singh, mother Varinderjit Kaur, cousin Narinder Singh Goldy, sister-in-law Rupinder Kaur, and former village sarpanch Surinder Singh Rana as co-accused.

Police said all the accused are residents of Sur Singh village under the Bhikhiwind police station limits in Tarn Taran district.

The wedding had been attended by several prominent AAP leaders and public representatives, including Punjab Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan and Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sondh.

Videos and pictures from the wedding celebrations have also gone viral on social media.

Police have begun an investigation into the allegations and the background of the accused.

National

Man Dies by Suicide after Jumping from 43rd Floor

Published

4 days ago

October 4, 2026

Namma Kudla

Noida: A man died by suicide after jumping from the 43rd floor of the Supernova Tower in Noida on Saturday.

The incident took place at the Supernova complex in Sector 94. A video shows the man standing near the railing before jumping. Another person tried to stop him but could not prevent the incident.

Police identified the deceased as Sambhav Jain, a resident of Manesar, Haryana. He had reportedly checked into an Airbnb in the building on Friday and was scheduled to leave on Saturday.

Police said Jain had called his father several times before the incident. His family has been informed.

The police and forensic teams inspected the spot and collected evidence. CCTV footage is also being checked as part of the investigation.

Police said Jain was reportedly under severe financial stress. His body has been sent for a post-mortem examination.

The investigation is underway.

National

Captain Smit Machchhar Shares Ordeal with PM Modi

Published

5 days ago

October 3, 2026

Namma Kudla

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Captain Smit Machchhar over a video call and praised his courage after he helped prevent a major air disaster.

Captain Machchhar was seriously injured after his co-pilot allegedly stabbed him during a flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv on Wednesday. The Boeing 737 MAX reportedly lost nearly 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds.

Passengers and crew members entered the cockpit and overpowered the co-pilot. A second pair of pilots then took control and safely landed the aircraft in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. More than 170 passengers and crew were on board.

Speaking from his hospital bed, Captain Machchhar told PM Modi that he was badly injured and had collapsed in the cockpit. He realised that the aircraft was rapidly losing altitude and that he had to act.

“I could not let all those people die,” he told the Prime Minister.

Captain Machchhar said his 17 years of flying experience helped him understand what was happening to the aircraft. He managed to open the cockpit door, after which passengers and crew came to his help.

He also said he was chanting the Hanuman Chalisa while fighting the pain and fear.

PM Modi praised the captain’s courage, patience and presence of mind. He said Captain Machchhar’s actions helped save many lives and called his effort a “monumental task.”

Captain Machchhar, who is from Gujarat, has more than 9,750 flying hours and has served as a captain for 11 years.