Std X student from Sangli village sole Maha representative to interact with PM Modi in Pariksha Pe Charcha event

Kolhapur: Std X student Pranav Bhosale from a school in Sangli district has become the only participant from Maharashtra selected to meet and interact with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the ninth edition of the PM's Pariksha Pe Charcha aired on Friday morning.Of 4.5 crore students from Stds VI-X, who registered for the programme, Pranav emerged as one of the 36 chosen — one representative from each state and Union Territory. After registering, he had submitted a video message in Hindi outlining what India must focus on to achieve the PM's vision of Viksit Bharat @2047. In the clip, he stressed the pivotal role of youth in building an Aatmanirbhar Bharat, which he said would lay the foundation for a developed nation.Pranav was invited to the PM's residence in New Delhi on Jan 22 for the recording of the programme, accompanied by his school principal, DN Patil, who mentored him throughout the process. "Spending over two hours at the PM's residence never crossed my mind. But it all came together unexpectedly," he said."My father earns around Rs 70,000 a year from our water-dependent farm where he grows jowar and flowers. We are a family of six. I aspire to become an IAS officer, but I never thought an opportunity like this would come my way. Being among the few selected feels unreal," Pranav said.According to him, each of the 36 students was welcomed by the PM with an Assamese gamcha, after which he spoke to them about their states, studies and interests. "We introduced ourselves, and he asked us questions. The responses of 8-10 students were eventually aired. He also shared tips on handling exam pressure and staying calm in difficult situations," Pranav said.Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis posted a congratulatory message on social media, calling it a proud moment for Maharashtra. "A student from a rural school getting an opportunity to interact with the PM is special — not just for Pranav, but for every student in the state," Fadnavis wrote.Principal Patil said the school, Ajitrao Ghorpade Vidyalay, Kalambi, has around 750 students from the village and neighbouring areas and consistently records a 100% pass rate in the Std X board exams. "We prioritise cleanliness and quality teaching. These efforts helped Pranav develop confidence and present his message effectively through the video," he added.