Prime Minister Modi opened today’s address by lauding India’s nuclear scientists for a landmark achievement — the Fast Breeder Reactor in Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu, has achieved Criticality, the moment a reactor first sustains a self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction and formally enters operational status.
“This is a historic milestone in India’s nuclear energy journey — built entirely by our own hands, our own scientists, our own technology.”
Modi highlighted that the Breeder Reactor goes beyond merely generating electricity — it simultaneously produces new nuclear fuel for the future. He recalled personally witnessing the core loading of the reactor in March 2024 and congratulated all contributors to India’s civil nuclear programme, noting its wide-ranging benefits across the energy sector, healthcare, agriculture, and industrial growth.
India Ranks 4th in the World in Wind Energy
Turning to renewable energy, the Prime Minister announced that India’s total wind energy generation capacity has crossed 56 gigawatts — with nearly 6 gigawatts of fresh capacity added in the past year alone.
Key States Leading the Charge
Gujarat · Tamil Nadu · Maharashtra · Rajasthan — with large renewable energy parks in Kutch, Patan & Banaskantha
Modi stressed that solar and wind energy are not optional extras but essential pillars of India’s development, and called on citizens at every level to conserve electricity and embrace clean energy in their daily lives.
Census 2027 — The World’s Largest Digital Census
Modi dedicated considerable time to Census 2027, calling it the world’s largest census exercise — and this time, a fully digital one. Enumerators going door-to-door use a dedicated mobile application to record data in real time.
A citizen-friendly innovation: households can self-enumerate up to 15 days before the enumerator’s arrival. After entering information, a special digital ID is sent to their mobile number or email. When the enumerator visits, the process is simply a verification. House listings for approximately 1.2 crore families have already been completed across India.
“The national census is not just a government task — it is the responsibility of every Indian. Your participation makes this count.”
The PM assured all citizens that the information submitted is fully secure, confidential, and protected under stringent digital safeguards.
Buddha Purnima, Tagore & the Spirit of 1857
With May on the horizon, the PM extended greetings for Buddha Purnima (May 1), noting that Lord Buddha’s message of compassion and peace resonates more powerfully than ever in today’s conflict-ridden world. He highlighted an organisation in Chile’s Cochiguaz Valley — guided by Ladakh-born Drubpon Otzer Rinpoche — which connects people to Buddhist teachings through meditation and compassion.
On Pochishe Boishakh (May 9), Modi paid warm tribute to Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore — calling him a multifaceted genius whose institutions, philosophy, and Rabindra Sangeet continue to shape lives across the world.
He also saluted the brave freedom fighters of the First War of Independence of 1857, whose sacrifice and patriotism remain an enduring source of national inspiration.
Wildlife Conservation — India’s Nature Comeback
Modi shared a series of uplifting conservation stories from across the country, painting a vivid picture of a nation reconnecting with its natural heritage.
In the Rann of Kutch, lakhs of flamingos descend after the monsoons, turning the landscape a spectacular pink — earning the area the name “Flamingo City.” Locals affectionately call the birds ‘Lakhha Ji Ke Baaraati,’ and their presence has become a symbol of environmental conservation in the region.
In Uttar Pradesh’s Terai region, the ‘Gaj Mitra’ initiative has villagers themselves forming teams to monitor elephant herds and alert communities in time, reducing human-elephant conflict. From Chhattisgarh came news of the return of blackbucks to the open fields, after sustained conservation efforts reversed a dramatic decline. Modi also spoke about continued campaigns to save the Great Indian Bustard (Godavan) — a desert icon on the verge of extinction — with scientific breeding centres now yielding hope.
He also spotlighted the Karma Monastery forest in Karnataka — a vibrant 100-acre area with over 700 native trees — as an example of Buddhist tradition inspiring environmental stewardship.
Northeast India’s Bamboo Revolution
In one of the episode’s most vivid segments, Modi celebrated the remarkable transformation of the bamboo sector across Northeast India. He explained that under British law, bamboo was classified as a tree, making its transport extremely difficult and driving people away from bamboo-based livelihoods. In 2017, the government removed bamboo from the tree category, unlocking the sector.
Today, entrepreneurs across the Northeast are thriving. Modi named several changemakers:
Bijoy Sutradhar — Gomati, Tripura Pradeep Chakraborty — South Tripura Khorolo Creative Crafts — Nagaland Lagastal Bamboo Enterprise — Gangtok, Sikkim Tissue Culture Teams — Mamit, Mizoram
From furniture and handicrafts to incense sticks, food products, and interior décor — the bamboo economy is blossoming across the region. The PM made a direct appeal:
“Buy at least one bamboo product from the Northeast — your purchase encourages those who toil to make something beautiful.”
Beating Retreat on WAVES & 20 Crore Documents Digitised
Modi praised this year’s Beating Retreat ceremony at the Republic Day celebrations, highlighting the Air Force band’s Sindoor formation, the Naval Band’s Matsya Yantra formation, and the Army Band’s tribute to 150 years of Vande Mataram alongside India’s cricket legacy. He announced that the full Beating Retreat performance is now available on the WAVES OTT platform.
Equally significant: the National Archives of India has digitised and made publicly accessible over 20 crore invaluable historical documents. The collection includes 7th-century Gilgit manuscripts on Bhoj Patra, correspondence related to Rani Lakshmibai from 1857, documents on Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and the Azad Hind Fauj, Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya’s papers on the founding of Banaras Hindu University, and rare Constituent Assembly records. Citizens can access the archive at www.abhilekh-patal.in.
India’s Daughters Shine at European Maths Olympiad
Modi celebrated India’s performance at the European Girls’ Mathematical Olympiad in Bordeaux, France, where India finished sixth overall. The team’s achievements:
Medal Winners — Bordeaux, France 2026
Gold — Shreya Mundhra (Mumbai) | Silver — Sanjana Chacko (Thiruvananthapuram) |
Bronze — Shivani Bharat Kumar (Chennai) | Shrimoyee Bera (Kolkata)
The PM described the rigorous multi-stage selection: starting from regional competitions, progressing through state and national levels, and culminating in a one-month Mathematics Training Camp at the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (TIFR). A team selection test at the end of the camp determines India’s six-member squad. Around 6 lakh students participate in the Mathematical Olympiad Programme each year. Modi warmly praised the parents who supported these gifted young women.
Indian Cheese Goes Global
In a flavourful closing segment, Modi expressed pride that two Indian cheese brands won awards at an international cheese competition in Brazil. He showcased three traditional Indian cheeses now gaining global recognition:
Kalari — “Mozzarella of Kashmir” (Gujjar-Bakarwal community) Chhurpi — Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh & Ladakh Topli Nu Paneer / Surti Cheese — Gujarat & Maharashtra
Modern packaging, improved technology, and rising global curiosity about Indian food traditions are helping these dairy products enter international restaurants and markets. Modi expressed confidence that India’s taste, tradition, and quality will offer a new experience to the world.
Signing Off — A Message for the Young
In the 133rd episode, PM Modi had a warm message for India’s children: enjoy your summer vacation to the fullest, learn something new, and take care of your health in the summer heat.
“This summer, every child should do something that makes them curious, creative, and healthy.”
