Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday appealed to people to make small changes in their daily lives to help India deal with economic pressure caused by the ongoing conflict in West Asia, which has disrupted
oil supplies and pushed up global prices.
Speaking at a public programme here, PM Modi said patriotism was not limited to sacrifices by soldiers but also included responsible behaviour by citizens in everyday life.
Why PM Modi Made This Appeal
The Prime Minister said the conflict in West Asia has badly affected global oil supply chains. With oil prices rising, India is spending heavily to keep petrol and diesel prices stable for consumers.
Government estimates show that India is spending around Rs 1,600-1,700 crore every day to absorb the impact of high global fuel prices. Modi said public cooperation could reduce this burden on the government.
Cut Down Petrol And Diesel Use
Modi urged people to use metro services, buses and other public transport wherever possible. He also asked people to try car-pooling and prefer railways for transporting goods.
He encouraged the use of electric vehicles, saying this would help reduce India’s dependence on imported fuel.
WFH, Online Meetings Can Help Again
Referring to practices followed during the COVID-19 period, Modi said working from home, online meetings and virtual conferences could once again be used to reduce travel, save fuel and cut costs during this difficult global situation.
Avoid Foreign Travel, Gold Purchases
The Prime Minister appealed to people to avoid foreign vacations and destination weddings for now, as overseas travel leads to a large outflow of foreign exchange.
He also requested families to avoid buying gold for non-essential reasons for one year, explaining that gold imports use a large amount of foreign currency.
Reducing such purchases would help keep money within the country and support the rupee.
Officials said nearly Rs 1 lakh crore has gone out of the country in the past 10 weeks due to high import costs, including oil and gold.
Save Money, Control Price Rise
Modi said lower fuel demand would reduce pressure on imports and help control future price rises. Even a 10 per cent reduction in fuel use could save the country about Rs 160 crore per day, officials said.
He also urged people to reduce edible oil consumption, pointing out that India imports large quantities of cooking oil, which affects both the economy and public health.
Support Local Products
The Prime Minister asked citizens to choose Made-in-India products and locally made items for daily use. He said this would support small businesses and jobs.
He also encouraged domestic tourism, saying money spent within India benefits local hotels, drivers, shopkeepers and rural economies, especially during global crises.
Impact Of West Asia Conflict
The appeals come as the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil route in West Asia, remains blocked due to ongoing tensions involving Iran, the US and Israel. The disruption has led to higher oil prices and affected global trade.
With the crisis showing no signs of ending soon, PM Modi said collective effort by citizens could help India manage the economic impact and remain stable during uncertain times.
