Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday used the 133rd episode of ‘Mann Ki Baat’ to spotlight India’s indigenous nuclear breakthrough and rapidly expanding clean energy capacity, projecting scientific progress and self-reliance as key pillars of nation-building amid an ongoing election season.
Opening the broadcast with what he described as a “very big achievement of the country,” Modi pointed to the recent criticality achieved by the Fast Breeder Reactor at Kalpakkam in Tamil Nadu, calling it “a historic milestone in Bharat’s nuclear energy journey.” Emphasising its strategic importance, he noted that the reactor has been built “entirely with indigenous technology,” adding that such advances would “give new energy to our resolve of a developed India.”
Linking the civil nuclear programme to broader development goals, the Prime Minister said it has delivered benefits across sectors including industry, energy, healthcare and agriculture. “India has always viewed science as linked with the nation’s progress,” he said, underlining technological capability as central to the government’s push for self-reliance and long-term economic growth.
In a parallel focus on sustainability, Modi highlighted India’s progress in renewable energy, particularly wind power, which he described as an “invisible force” propelling the country forward. “Today, this wind power is writing a new story of Bharat’s development,” he said, noting that installed wind energy capacity has crossed 56 gigawatts, making India the fourth-largest globally. The growth, he added, reflects “the hard work of our engineers, the efforts of our youth, and the collective willpower of the nation.”
The emphasis on both nuclear and renewable energy comes as India seeks to balance energy security with climate commitments, reflecting a policy narrative that blends technological nationalism with green growth. Modi also cited the transformation of regions in Gujarat into renewable energy hubs, pointing to job creation, new skills and emerging opportunities for youth.
Expanding beyond infrastructure, the address wove together themes of culture, sustainability and governance. Referring to the upcoming Buddha Purnima, Modi invoked Gautama Buddha, saying his teachings are “even more relevant” in a world facing conflict and uncertainty. “Peace begins within,” he said, positioning India’s civilisational ethos within contemporary global challenges.
The Prime Minister also highlighted governance initiatives such as the upcoming digital Census 2027, urging citizens to participate in what he termed the “world’s largest census,” redesigned to incorporate digital tools and self-enumeration options as part of a broader push for technology-driven governance.
In a cultural reference, Modi remembered Rabindranath Tagore ahead of his birth anniversary on May 9, describing him as a “multi-dimensional personality” whose work as a writer, thinker and institution-builder continues to inspire generations. He noted Tagore’s emphasis on sustainable livelihoods and rural development, and recalled his own visits to Shantiniketan, the institution nurtured by the Nobel laureate.
The address also turned to economic opportunities in the Northeast, particularly in the bamboo sector, which Modi said has flourished following policy changes in 2017. He credited the reforms for transforming bamboo into a driver of employment, entrepreneurship and innovation, especially benefiting women, and urged citizens to support local products.
Highlighting India’s growing global presence, Modi praised the performance of Indian students at the European Girls’ Mathematical Olympiad and pointed to the digitisation of over 200 million historical documents by the National Archives, describing it as a bridge connecting “our past and present.”
He also cited examples of environmental conservation and cultural enterprise—from flamingo habitats in Kutch and wildlife protection efforts in central India to the rising global recognition of Indian cheese varieties—blending policy messaging with grassroots narratives.
While Mann Ki Baat remains formally non-political, the latest address reflected a carefully calibrated articulation of governance priorities—scientific achievement, clean energy leadership, digital transformation and cultural diplomacy—at a time when public messaging carries heightened political significance.