New Delhi/Shimla/Dehradun/Srinagar: As global instability deepens amid the escalating West Asia conflict, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a strong appeal for citizens to embrace digital working, reduce fuel consumption and avoid non-essential imports, warning that the country must collectively prepare for challenging times ahead.
The appeal comes even as the Indian government has issued a serious warning that the country currently has crude oil reserves for barely around 60 days, natural gas supplies for nearly 60 days and LPG reserves for only about 45 days, underlining the growing pressure on India’s energy security amid global supply disruptions.
Addressing a gathering in Gujarat, Modi said the world was passing through one of the most unstable periods in recent decades after the Covid pandemic, global economic shocks and now the worsening tensions in West Asia. He described the situation emerging from the conflict as one of the biggest crises of this decade.
“When we could collectively defeat the Covid crisis, we can overcome this challenge too,” the Prime Minister said, stressing that public participation would play a decisive role in reducing the burden on the country’s resources.
Highlighting India’s massive dependence on imported energy, Modi said the conflict in the oil-producing region had created a “double crisis” for the country, with global prices soaring and supply chains facing severe disruptions.
In a major push towards conservation, the Prime Minister urged citizens to reduce petrol and diesel usage by relying more on metros, electric buses, public transport and carpooling.
Significantly, Modi also called upon government departments and private companies to prioritise virtual meetings and work-from-home arrangements to cut fuel consumption. He further urged schools to consider online classes for some time wherever feasible.
“Digital technology has made many things easier and technology can greatly help the nation in this difficult period,” he said.
The Prime Minister also appealed to citizens to cut down edible oil consumption, noting that India spends huge amounts of foreign exchange on importing cooking oils. He said moderation would benefit both the economy and people’s health.
In another striking appeal, Modi urged Indians to postpone gold purchases until global conditions stabilise, saying gold imports were draining massive foreign exchange reserves at a critical time.
Pitching again for the “Vocal for Local” campaign, Modi urged people to buy locally made products and support Indian industries and entrepreneurs instead of foreign goods.
He also linked the present crisis to agriculture and sustainability, asking farmers to adopt natural farming, reduce chemical fertiliser usage and promote solar-powered irrigation systems.
The Prime Minister further advised citizens to avoid expensive foreign vacations and destination weddings, saying Indians should instead promote domestic tourism and celebrate important occasions within the country.
Referring to the Statue of Unity as a symbol of national pride, Modi encouraged people, including NRIs, to bring foreign families to India and promote Indian tourist destinations globally.
Modi said even the smallest efforts by individuals could collectively become the country’s biggest strength in overcoming the ongoing global crisis.
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