Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his 133rd Mann Ki Baat on Sunday, hailed the achievement of first criticality at the 500 MWe Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) in Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu, calling it a historic milestone in India’s civil nuclear programme.
He said the reactor, built with indigenous technology, marks progress in the second stage of India’s three-stage nuclear plan.
The Prime Minister linked the development to the SHANTI Act 2025, which modernised India’s nuclear energy laws and opened the sector to private and foreign participation. He emphasised that breeder reactors can generate energy while producing new fuel, strengthening India’s technology sovereignty.
Modi also urged citizens to actively participate in Census 2027, which will be conducted digitally. He explained that households can self-enumerate using an app before enumerators visit, noting that over one crore households have already been listed.
On renewable energy, Modi highlighted India’s installed wind power capacity crossing 56 gigawatts, with 6 GW added in the past year. He said India now ranks fourth globally in wind energy, with Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan leading contributions.
The Prime Minister also praised India’s sixth-place finish at the European Girls’ Mathematical Olympiad and noted global recognition of Indian cheese varieties. He recalled cultural milestones, including Rabindranath Tagore’s birth anniversary and the legacy of the 1857 uprising, while urging citizens to engage in national initiatives.
