Jammu: Asserting that Indian cheese is making its mark globally, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said traditional dairy products from India, including Jammu and Kashmir’s Kalari and Ladakh’s Chhurpi, are now finding recognition on international plates and in global markets.
Speaking during his monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat, Modi said the Indian dairy sector is undergoing a major transformation and the taste of India is reaching the world through its unique cheese varieties and traditional flavours.
He noted that two Indian cheese brands recently received prestigious awards at an international cheese competition held in Brazil, drawing global attention to the diversity of Indian cheese and sparking widespread discussion on social media.
Highlighting regional specialties, the Prime Minister praised Kalari cheese from Jammu and Kashmir, often referred to as the “mozzarella of Kashmir,” saying it has been prepared for generations by the Gujjar-Bakarwal community. He also mentioned Chhurpi, a popular cheese in Ladakh, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh, made from yak milk and known for its distinct mountain flavour.
“The simplicity and softness of the mountains are felt in its taste,” Modi said while referring to Chhurpi.
He also highlighted Topli Nu Paneer, also known as Surti Cheese, from Maharashtra and Gujarat, saying it carries its own unique identity in India’s dairy tradition.
Emphasising the “local to global” vision, Modi said several Indian companies are investing in the cheese sector and ensuring that Indian dairy products meet global quality standards.
“Today, as we talk about local to global, the example of Indian cheese shows us the way forward. I am confident that India’s taste, Indian tradition and Indian quality will provide a new experience to the people of the world and create a new connection with India,” he said.
He said the ongoing Census exercise is not just a government task but a responsibility of all citizens and participation of everyone is vital.
In his monthly radio address ‘Mann Ki Baat’, Modi also said that all information provided by the people during the Census will remain secure and confidential, and appealed to all citizens to participate in the process and make the Census 2027 a success.
“Friends, the national Census is not just a government task; it is a responsibility for all of us. Your participation is vital. The information you provide remains completely secure and confidential, protected by robust digital security,” he said.
The prime minister said Census is a very important campaign currently underway in the country and every Indian must be aware of it. He also noted that the Indian Census exercise is the largest such exercise in the world.
“Census 2027 has been made digital. All information is being recorded directly through digital means,” he said.
Modi said the personnel visiting people’s homes are equipped with a mobile app and they will speak to everyone and enter the information right there.
“Friends, your participation in this Census has also been made easier. You can now record your information yourself. A self-enumeration facility will be available to you 15 days before the official visit. You can fill in the details at your own convenience,” he said.
Once completed, the applicant will receive a unique ID via mobile or email, he said.
“Later, when the official arrives at your home, you can simply show this ID to confirm your details,” he said.
Modi said this eliminates the need to provide information twice, saving time and making the process seamless.
He said in states where self-enumeration has been completed, the work of house-listing by Census officials has already begun.
So far, the house-listing for approximately 12 million (1.2 crore) families has been completed, he said.
Modi said for those who have been through this process before, their experience this time is going to be different.
He also informed that India has achieved a major milestone in wind energy, with the country’s wind energy generation capacity exceeding 56 gigawatts.
In his monthly radio address ‘Mann Ki Baat’, Modi also said the country must save electricity and adopt clean energy.
“India recently achieved a major milestone in wind energy. India’s wind energy generation capacity has now exceeded 56 gigawatts. In just the past year, nearly 6 gigawatts of new capacity have been added,” he said.
Underlining that solar and wind energy are essential for India’s development, Modi said, “It is not just about the environment; it is about securing our future, and we all have a role to play in it.”
On April 22, Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Pralhad Joshi, said that India has recorded its best-ever year in wind energy capacity addition, with a historic 6.1 GW added during 2025-26.
India currently ranks fourth globally in wind energy, with more than 56.1 GW installed capacity and an additional 28 GW under implementation.
Emphasising the vast untapped potential of the sector, Joshi highlighted that India’s wind energy potential at 150 metres hub height is estimated at nearly 1,164 GW.
He expressed confidence that with sustained efforts, the country will achieve 100 GW wind capacity by 2030 and 156 GW by 2036, contributing significantly to the net-zero target by 2070.
Joshi also underlined that wind energy plays a critical role in stabilising India’s energy system, particularly due to its peak generation during evening and night hours, which aligns with high demand periods.
He noted that nearly 45 per cent of wind power generation occurs during peak demand hours, making it a vital complement to solar energy.
