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Guwahati: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday began the second day of his Assam visit by setting sail on the Brahmaputra River, conducting an interactive session of Pariksha Pe Charcha aboard a cruise ship.
Modi reached the recently inaugurated Guwahati Gateway Terminal of the Inland Water Transport (IWT) and boarded the three-deck MV Charaidew 2, where he interacted with 25 students from across Assam for around 45 minutes, officials said. The students were selected from districts including Kamrup Metropolitan, Morigaon, Dibrugarh, Cachar, Sribhumi, Baksa, Dima Hasao, Kokrajhar, Golaghat, Karbi Anglong and Nalbari, representing government, residential and private institutions such as Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas, PM Shri schools, Kendriya Vidyalayas, Assam Jatiya Bidyalays, Don Bosco institutions and Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas.
Security was tightened across the river stretch, with personnel from the River Police, NDRF and SDRF deployed since early morning. Ferry services on the Brahmaputra were suspended for two days in view of the Prime Minister’s visit.
The river-based interaction marked a unique setting for Pariksha Pe Charcha, an annual initiative launched in 2018 to help students cope with exam stress, encourage open dialogue on academics and careers, and promote mental well-being. During the session, Modi shared tips on preparing for board and entrance examinations in a calm and balanced manner.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had earlier said that the Prime Minister’s public engagements in Assam often have a broader impact beyond their immediate purpose. Recalling the surge in tourism after Modi visits Kaziranga National Park last year, Sarma said a similar boost was expected for river tourism following the Prime Minister’s Brahmaputra cruise.
Held every year, Pariksha Pe Charcha has become a flagship outreach programme aimed at reducing examination-related anxiety and encouraging students to approach learning with confidence, curiosity and emotional resilience.odi
