In a pep-talk for students on the eve of board exams, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi today said they should rise above negativity or self-doubts and take on the exams as an opportunity for self growth.        

"Take it as an opportunity of self-growth and that is when the stress will instantly disappear!" he wrote on his blog, wishing the youngsters luck.The exams, conducted by Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board (GSHSEB), start from tomorrow.        

According to GSHSEB, over nine lakh students appear for class X (SSC) exams whereas over 4.5 lakh students appear for class XII (HSC) exams every year.   

"I would like to wish all my young friends the very best for the examinations! Months of preparation, hardwork, and occasional apprehension will boil down to the few hours in the exam hall," Modi's blog message said. The best way to tackle anxiety was to treat the board exams as a game, he said.