Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged all citizens to take part in the ongoing Census, describing it as the world’s largest population exercise now being carried out in a digital format. Speaking in the 133rd episode of his monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat, he said the information shared by people will be kept confidential with advanced digital security.
Modi said data from about 1.2 crore households has already been collected, and called for wider participation to support the national effort.
In the same address, he highlighted India’s progress in renewable energy, noting that the country’s wind power capacity has crossed 56 GW and that India now ranks fourth globally in wind power generation. He said Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Rajasthan are leading in the sector, and cited areas such as Kutch, Patan and Banaskantha as examples of regions turning into energy hubs and creating jobs.
He also spoke about cultural and heritage initiatives, including greater use of Indian instruments and ragas in the Republic Day “Beating Retreat” programme, and said the music is available on the “Waves” OTT platform. He added that the National Archives has digitised over 20 crore historical documents for public access.
Modi further called for support to bamboo-based livelihoods in the Northeast, recalling that a 2017 legal change reclassified bamboo from “tree” to “grass”, helping the sector grow. He also referred to Gautama Buddha’s message that peace begins within, calling it relevant today.
Separately, Modi praised a major milestone in India’s nuclear programme, saying the 500 MW fast breeder reactor at Kalpakkam in Tamil Nadu successfully reached its first operational stage on April 6. He said the reactor was built entirely with indigenous technology, recalled witnessing its “core loading” in March 2024, and congratulated the scientists involved.
