PM Modi Highlights Kalari Cheese of Jammu Kashmir Featured in His Mann Ki Baat | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: Kalari cheese of Jammu Kashmir found a prominent mention in the latest episode of Mann Ki Baat, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi underscored India’s diverse food heritage while linking it to broader themes of innovation, sustainability, and economic progress.

In his address, the Prime Minister described Kalari as the “Mozzarella of Kashmir,” noting its deep-rooted connection with the Gujjar-Bakarwal community, which has preserved the traditional cheese-making practice for generations. He placed it alongside other indigenous varieties such as chhurpi from the Himalayan regions and Surti cheese from western India, highlighting how value addition in the dairy sector is helping traditional products gain global recognition.

The reference to Kalari cheese came as part of a wider narrative celebrating India’s achievements across sectors. Modi began the programme by highlighting a milestone in the country’s civil nuclear programme, with the Fast Breeder Reactor at Kalpakkam in Tamil Nadu achieving criticality—marking the start of a self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction using indigenous technology.

He also pointed to India’s growing renewable energy footprint, noting that the country’s wind energy capacity has crossed 56 gigawatts, placing it fourth globally. States such as Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan were cited as leading contributors to this expansion.

Touching upon cultural and environmental themes, the Prime Minister extended advance greetings for Buddha Purnima and reflected on the global relevance of the teachings of Gautam Buddha. He cited examples of conservation efforts across the country, including flamingo habitats in Kutch and community-led initiatives to mitigate human-wildlife conflict in Uttar Pradesh.

The broadcast also highlighted economic developments in the Northeast, particularly the growth of the bamboo sector following regulatory changes in 2017. Modi noted that the sector is now generating employment and encouraging innovation, especially among women and self-help groups.

In the field of education, he lauded the performance of Indian students at the European Girls Mathematical Olympiad, where the national team secured sixth place globally, with one gold, one silver, and one bronze medal.

The Prime Minister also drew attention to the digitisation of archival records by the National Archives of India, making over 20 crore historical documents publicly accessible through an online portal.

Concluding the programme, Modi called for active public participation in the upcoming digital Census 2027 and encouraged citizens to adopt sustainable practices, including energy conservation and support for indigenous products.

The mention of Kalari cheese, he said, exemplifies how local traditions can find a place on the global stage, reinforcing the vision of “local to global” in India’s development trajectory.