Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday urged citizens to adopt responsible spending habits and conserve national resources as the ongoing Middle East conflict continues to disrupt global supply chains and fuel markets. Addressing a gathering in Hyderabad, PM Modi said patriotism today also means contributing to the nation through responsible daily actions.
Highlighting the economic impact of the conflict around the Strait of Hormuz, the Prime Minister appealed to people to reduce petrol and diesel consumption by using public transport, metros and car-pooling wherever possible. He also encouraged the use of electric vehicles and asked businesses to prefer railways for transporting goods.
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PM Modi further suggested reviving Covid-era practices such as work-from-home, virtual meetings and online conferences to cut fuel usage and operational costs. Stressing the importance of protecting India’s foreign exchange reserves, he requested citizens to avoid non-essential overseas vacations, destination weddings and unnecessary foreign travel.
In a major appeal, the Prime Minister asked people to refrain from non-essential gold purchases for one year. He also encouraged families to reduce edible oil consumption, saying it would benefit both personal health and the national economy.
Calling for greater support for local industries, PM Modi urged citizens to prioritise Made-in-India products, including daily-use goods such as shoes, bags and accessories. Farmers were also advised to cut chemical fertiliser usage by 50 per cent and adopt solar-powered irrigation pumps instead of diesel-based alternatives.
The remarks come amid rising tensions in the Gulf region after Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz led to soaring oil prices and disruptions in global trade. Around 1,500 ships remain stranded in the Gulf, according to the UN’s International Maritime Organisation.
