Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the Kalari cheese from Jammu and Kashmir and mentioned ‘Chhurpi’, also a type of cheese, saying it was very popular in Ladakh and other States.
In his monthly Radio address `Mann Ki Baat’, Modi said the Indian dairy sector is undergoing a major transformation. He noted the popularity of Indian cheese globally.
Giving examples of such dairy products, Modi praised the Kalari cheese from Jammu and Kashmir, known as the “mozzarella of Kashmir”, which the Gujjar-Bakarwal community has been making for generations.Listing “Chhurpi” as a type of cheese quite very popular in Ladakh, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh, he said, “The simplicity and softness of the mountains are felt in its taste. The special feature of this cheese is that it’s made from yak milk”.
Modi also mentioned the “Topli Nu Paneer,” also known as “Surti Cheese,” in Maharashtra and Gujarat, saying it holds a unique identity.
Emphasising that several Indian companies are investing in this field and the nation’s products are meeting global standards, the Prime Minister expressed confidence that Indian cheese is now transcending the country’s borders and reaching global markets and restaurants.
“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,” Modi said.
He highlighted that the taste of India is making its way to plates internationally, and how the dairy sector has been crucial to giving Indian traditional flavours a new identity.
The Prime Minister informed that two Indian cheese brands received prestigious awards at an international cheese competition held in Brazil, stating that this achievement was widely discussed on social media, and many people have said that the diversity of cheese in India should also be discussed.
Meanwhile, Modi said the ongoing Census exercise is not just a government task but a responsibility of all citizens and participation of everyone is vital.
He 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 India has achieved a major milestone in wind energy, with the country’s wind energy generation capacity exceeding 56 gigawatts.
He 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.”
Ahead of the 165th birth anniversary of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore, Modi said he was not only a great writer and thinker, but also shaped many renowned institutions.
Modi also hailed an organisation in Chile promoting the teachings of Lord Buddha, which he said are relevant even now and are essential for the future.
On May 9, on the occasion of ‘Pochishe Boishakh’ (25th day in the first month of the Bengali calendar), the country will celebrate Gurudev Tagore’s birth anniversary, Modi said.
“Gurudev was a multifaceted personality. He was not only a great writer and thinker, but also shaped many renowned institutions,” Modi said.
According to the Prime Minister, Tagore also advocated for industries that provided sustainable employment and benefited villages.
The influence of ‘Rabindra Sangeet’ (songs penned and composed by Tagore) is seen worldwide even today, Modi said.
“My visits to Shantiniketan will remain unforgettable. It is the very institution that Tagore nurtured and shaped with unwavering dedication. My humble tribute to him once again,” Modi said.
For the first time, the music of Beating Retreat has been made available on WAVES OTT, and in the future, it will be made available on other platforms too, Modi said
He said that over the past few years, the inclusion of Indian music in the ceremony has increased, which is being liked by people across the country.
This year’s Beating Retreat ceremony was very memorable as the Air Force, Army, Navy, and CAPF bands gave excellent performances, he said.
The prime minister said the Air Force band composed the Sindoor formation while the Naval band composed the ‘Matsya Yantra’ formation.
