Looking forward to interact with students: PM Narendra Modi

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said he was looking forward to interact with students on the eve of Teachers' Day tomorrow, describing his engagement as very close to his heart.

"As a part of Teachers' Day celebrations, tomorrow at 10 AM I will attend a programme very close to my heart - interaction with school children," Modi tweeted tonight.

He further tweeted that such interaction with school children is "refreshing" and that the enthusiasm of children and their curiosity is always gladdening.

His tweets were re-tweeted by HRD Minister Smriti Irani, who would be present at the interaction tomorrow, the second such event after Modi became the Prime Minister in May 2014.

Eight hundred students and 60 teachers from various schools here would interact with the PM tomorrow on the eve of Teacher's Day along with students from across the country who have excelled in various activities.

The PM would interact with students at Manekshaw Auditorium from 10 am to 11.15 am and with students outside through the video conferencing mode, which would be broadcast live by Doordarshan and All India Radio.

He will also release a commemorative coin of Rs 125 denomination and a circulation coin of Rs 10 denomination in the honour of Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, former President and educationist, teacher and philosopher, on the eve of his birth anniversary.

He will also launch the website for Kala Utsav, which is an initiative of the HRD Ministry to promote art in education, said a government statement.

Shortly after the PM's interaction, President Pranab Mukherjee will also interact with teachers and teach students of Sarvodaya Vidyalaya inside the President' Estate.

The Delhi government has asked all schools to ensure that the children view the live telecast of PM's address from 9.45 am to 11.45 am. "After the PM's address, children will remain seated and watch the President's class with students of government schools starting at 11.45 am," its circular said.

Separately, CBSE has asked all affiliated schools to make necessary arrangements so that "children may get an opportunity to learn from the Prime Minister's interaction".

The events are being held on September 4 as September 5 -- Teachers' Day -- is a school holiday and the country would also be celebrating Janamashtmi.

While nine crore students had participated in the interaction last year, the attempt is to scale up the numbers significantly this time, the officials said, adding that states have been asked to ensure both public and private school students listen to the Prime Minister.